Rubio says war on Iran unpopular but necessary to curb nuclear threat

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Florida that President Donald Trump launched the war against Iran to address what he described as a "very real threat" from Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Rubio said the action was "not necessarily popular, but necessary" for U.S. security.

He added that while a diplomatic breakthrough had not been reached, Iran’s demands were "unacceptable, outrageous, ridiculous and really not realistic," and that Trump preferred a diplomatic solution if Tehran would meet the conditions.

President Trump later told CNN that a "strong agreement" with Iran would make further strikes "highly unlikely," and he maintained that the war would be remembered as one of the best actions taken by the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X, stating that American voters had made their choice in the recent midterm elections and urging the White House to decide on the war. He reiterated Tehran’s two-day proposal, which includes ending the war on all fronts and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping if the United States meets its conditions.

The president is scheduled to meet Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House on Monday, as Qatar reviews proposals aimed at narrowing differences with Washington.

Rubio also denied speculation that he would leave his post to run for higher office in 2028.