Washington signals decisive gains, weakening regime capabilities while keeping diplomacy option open amid pressure campaign.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the military campaign against Iran is advancing rapidly, with core objectives already achieved or nearing completion ahead of schedule. He outlined that the operation has focused on dismantling Iran’s navy, severely reducing its missile-launch capabilities, and targeting its defense industrial base to prevent future threats.
Rubio emphasized that Iran’s military infrastructure has been significantly degraded, including major damage to its air force and weapons production facilities. He described the current state of Iran as one of its weakest points in recent history, stressing that the operation was necessary to prevent a far more dangerous scenario in the near future.
Addressing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio made clear that attempts by Iran to control or disrupt the critical waterway will not be tolerated. While diplomacy remains the preferred path, he noted that communication channels are active and being tested, even as military options remain fully available if negotiations fail.
He also pointed to internal fractures within Iran, suggesting potential shifts in direction if new leadership proves capable of meaningful change. At the same time, Rubio reiterated that the campaign’s central goal remains ensuring that Iran can no longer develop capabilities that threaten regional stability or pursue nuclear ambitions.
