US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that a planned Israeli strike on Iran influenced the timing of Washington’s own military action against the government in Tehran.
Speaking to reporters on Monday after briefing congressional leaders, Rubio said US officials had been aware that Israel intended to attack Iran and anticipated that Tehran would retaliate against American interests in the region.
He explained that US forces decided to act pre-emptively because they believed failing to do so would result in heavier American casualties.
His remarks came shortly before the US military confirmed that the American death toll in the conflict had risen to six, following the recovery of two bodies from a regional facility hit by Iranian strikes.
Tehran responded to the joint US-Israeli assault — which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior officials and hundreds of civilians — by launching drones and missiles across the region, including attacks on US bases and assets in the Gulf, Al Jazeera reported.
Rubio maintained that although the US and Israel initiated the strikes, Washington viewed its actions as necessary to counter an immediate threat.
Israel, a close ally of the US has received at least $21bn in military aid from Washington since 2023.
He suggested that Israel was prepared to move against Iran regardless, and that US intelligence assessments indicated Iran would quickly target American forces if attacked.
The comments underscored Israel’s role in the lead-up to the conflict, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long advocated. On Sunday, Netanyahu said the military operations were being carried out with the support of his “friend,” US President Donald Trump, adding in a video message that the current alliance had enabled him to pursue an objective he had sought for decades.
Rubio also told reporters that action against Iran was necessary because, in Washington’s view, Tehran had been stockpiling missiles and drones that could be used to shield its nuclear programme and potentially facilitate the development of a nuclear weapon.
The conflict began less than 48 hours after a round of talks between US and Iranian officials regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities. Rubio stated that the military campaign aims to dismantle Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, while emphasising that the United States would welcome the end of the governing system in Tehran.