On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the U.S. military's recent strike against Iran, referring to it as "a crucial opportunity" to decisively eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat.
The statement was shared in a video on the White House's social media account in the context of Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28 in coordination with Israel. This military offensive, now ongoing for over a month, has targeted thousands of sites in Iran, including significant nuclear facilities such as Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
"Many Americans are questioning why the U.S. needed to strike Iran at this time. Let me clarify. Iran is intent on acquiring nuclear weapons. There is no doubt about that," Rubio stated at the beginning of the video.
The Rationale Behind the Strike
The Secretary of State argued that if Iran's intentions were solely for nuclear energy, it could import fuel and build above-ground reactors, as other nations do. However, Iran's decision to construct its facilities underground, hidden within mountains, reveals its true motives.
"They’ve built their reactors and installations deep within mountains, away from public scrutiny. And they aim to enrich that material," Rubio pointed out, noting that the same technology used for energy-grade uranium can also create weapons-grade material.
The Conventional Shield Threat
Rubio centered his argument on the notion of a "conventional shield," explaining that Iran was amassing such a vast arsenal of missiles and drones that soon no country could challenge its nuclear program without facing severe repercussions.
"We were on the cusp of an Iran with so many missiles and drones that nothing could be done against its nuclear weapons program in the future. That was an unacceptable risk," he warned.
Rubio was adamant that under no circumstances should a nation led by "radical Shiite clerics with an apocalyptic vision of the future" be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
The Objective of the Operation
The Secretary of State clarified that the operation's aim is not regime change but to dismantle Iran's conventional arsenal, leaving it without a protective shield.
"The goal of this operation is to destroy their conventional missiles and drone program so they can't hide behind them and are finally compelled to seriously negotiate with the world about never possessing nuclear weapons," he explained.
Current Situation and Future Prospects
Currently, the situation remains in a hybrid phase of military pressure and diplomatic negotiation.
Last Friday, President Trump extended a pause on attacks against energy infrastructure until April 6, demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reach a definitive nuclear agreement. On Monday, Trump issued a new warning: the destruction of power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and desalination facilities if no agreement is reached by that date.
On Sunday, Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on a U.S. military base in Saudi Arabia, injuring 12 soldiers.
Rubio projected last Friday that the military operation would conclude within weeks, between two to four weeks, as negotiations proceed indirectly through Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.
Understanding the U.S. Military Action Against Iran
Why did the U.S. attack Iran now?
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. strike was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to neutralize its growing arsenal of missiles and drones, which posed a significant future threat.
What is the goal of Operation Epic Fury?
The primary objective of Operation Epic Fury is to dismantle Iran's conventional missile and drone capabilities, forcing them to engage in serious negotiations regarding their nuclear program.