Rubio Claims US Strikes on Iran Were Prompted by Imminent Israeli Attack
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the timing of American military strikes on Iran was influenced by an impending Israeli assault. Rubio explained that Washington was aware of Israel's plans to attack Iran, which would likely provoke retaliation against US interests in the region. Consequently, the US launched a pre-emptive strike to mitigate potential casualties.
Rubio's remarks came shortly before the US military confirmed that six American service members had died in the conflict, following the recovery of two bodies from a facility targeted by Iran. The Iranian response involved drone and missile attacks across the region, including strikes on US bases and assets in the Gulf, following the joint US-Israeli operation that resulted in the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several top officials.
The Secretary of State emphasized that the US acted to prevent an immediate threat, asserting that Israel would have attacked Iran independently, leading to inevitable Iranian retaliation. Israel, a close ally of the US, has received substantial military aid from Washington, amounting to at least $21 billion since 2023.
Rubio's comments underscore Israel's role in escalating tensions with Iran, a conflict long sought by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu acknowledged the attacks were conducted with the support of US President Donald Trump, expressing that this coalition allowed him to pursue a longstanding objective.
Rubio further justified the military action by citing Iran's accumulation of missiles and drones, which he claimed were intended to protect its nuclear program and potentially develop a nuclear weapon. The US and Israel initiated the conflict shortly after a round of negotiations between American and Iranian officials regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The US Secretary of State outlined the war's objectives as dismantling Iran's missile and drone capabilities, while also expressing hope for a regime change in Tehran. Rubio stated that the US would welcome the overthrow of the current Iranian government by its people, envisioning a new future for the country.
In light of the escalating conflict, Washington has advised US citizens in over a dozen Middle Eastern countries, including those in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories, to leave immediately. The advisory, issued by US official Mora Namdar, reflects the heightened security risks and instability in the region.