Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that President Donald Trump initiated the war against Iran to protect the world from nuclear ambitions, despite a lack of popularity, Associated Press reported.
The eight-month conflict has strained the economy and elevated fuel prices by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Ormuz. Voters linked these financial pressures to administration policies, contributing to Republican losses in the congressional elections.
Public disagreement emerged between Rubio and Vice President JD Vance regarding the electoral fallout. Vance argued on social media that the war largely drove the Republican defeats.
Rubio defended the military campaign while speaking on Nov. 8, 2026, at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida before traveling to a G7 meeting in Paris. He maintained that Trump confronted a genuine security threat by targeting the Iranian nuclear program.
“He addressed it despite the fact that many times doing the right thing for the country — facing difficult challenges for our country’s security — is not necessarily popular, but it is necessary,” Rubio said, according to Associated Press.
President Trump echoed his vice president’s electoral assessment during an interview with “60 Minutes”. However, Trump asserted that history will ultimately judge the military action as a necessary measure.
“I can tell you that if I had to do it again, this historically — for history — will go down as one of the best things we’ve done,” Trump said, as reported by Associated Press. “Because if they ever had a nuclear weapon, they’d blow up the world.”
International mediators continue efforts to restart negotiations as the conflict persists without a clear reduction strategy. Iran is currently reviewing proposals from Qatar, according to Associated Press.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear program remains peaceful. Data from the International Atomic Energy Agency shows Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity.
Rubio stated that diplomatic discussions are not close to a breakthrough because Iranian demands are unrealistic. Tehran insists on several conditions before negotiating its atomic activities, including lifting US sanctions, ending naval blockades, unfreezing assets, and halting regional hostilities.
The United States military executed limited strikes against Iranian air defenses twice during the last week. Forces also disabled a commercial vessel attempting to bypass the naval blockade.
Trump stated that additional military action is unlikely if negotiations progress toward a solid agreement. He noted that the United States had identified 38 infrastructure targets, including bridges, for potential strikes if hostilities resume.
Rubio emphasized that defensive measures will continue. “If there is a clear and imminent threat to navigation or to our forces in the region, we have right to defend ourselves,” he said, per Associated Press.
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