Paris, France. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States could achieve its objectives in Iran without using ground troops and expected the operation to conclude within weeks. He spoke despite recent deployments of additional U.S. forces to the region.
Timeline and objectives
Rubio spoke to reporters before returning to the United States after discussions with G7 foreign ministers in France about the conflict launched by the United States and Israel late last month. He said the United States was achieving its objectives, which he described as destroying Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and the factories producing those weapons, as well as its navy and air force.
Rubio said he expected the operation to conclude in “weeks, not months,” and said the effort was ahead of schedule on most objectives. He said those goals could be achieved without any ground troops.
Additional deployments and contingency planning
Rubio said the deployment of thousands more troops to the region was intended to give President Donald Trump options to respond to contingencies related to the conflict. He declined to provide operational details and said the administration aimed to provide the president with maximum flexibility to adjust to emerging contingencies.
Strait of Hormuz and security funding
Rubio said Iran may decide to establish a tolling system for the Strait of Hormuz. He said European and Asian countries that benefit from trade through the waterway should contribute to securing free passage through the strait once the conflict ends.
What role should countries that rely on Strait of Hormuz shipping play in funding post-conflict security for the waterway?