Rubio: Iran to be ‘weaker than ever’ in weeks as US strikes advance

Paris: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Saturday that military operations against Iran are "on or ahead of schedule," set to wrap up in weeks—not months—leaving Tehran "weaker than they've been in recent history."

Speaking after G7 meetings in Paris, Rubio outlined the campaign's goals: obliterating Iran's navy, air force, missile and drone factories, and launchers to curb nuclear threats. "We’re going to destroy Iran’s navy, destroy their air force. We are going to basically destroy their ability to make missiles and drones in their factories," he said, stressing no ground troops would be needed.

Progress is "going very well," Rubio added. "We have to finish the job, and we are finishing that job."

Post-operation, he flagged risks in the Strait of Hormuz, warning Iran might impose an "illegal" tolling system. "It’s important that the world have a plan to confront it," he urged, calling on Asian nations with high stakes to contribute alongside G7 allies, who showed strong support.

Rubio distinguished Iran's "phenomenal" people from its "radical Shia clerical regime," which he accused of squandering wealth on terrorism and weapons rather than development. Allowing it nuclear arms, he said, "would be crazy."

On Russia-Ukraine, Rubio affirmed US readiness to aid peace talks, while prioritizing American military needs: "If the United States has a military need… we’re always going to come first when it comes to our stuff."

(Inputs from IANS)