Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s address to the nation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said Washington can “see the finish line” in the Iran war, now in its fifth week. He also said that messages are being exchanged between the US and Iran with the possibility of a direct meeting between the two sides soon.
“We can see the finish line. It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming,” Rubio said in an interview with Fox News Channel’s Hannity.
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The war erupted on February 28 after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top officials. Tehran retaliated with attacks on US bases in Israel and Gulf countries, plunging the Middle East into turmoil.
During the interview, Rubio said Washington and Tehran are exchanging messages, with the possibility of a direct meeting between the two sides. “There are messages being exchanged, there are talks going on. There is the potential for a direct meeting at some point,” he said.
US President Donald Trump, who has outlined shifting goals for the conflict – from regime change in Iran to weakening its military and regional influence – said the US could halt its military operations within two to three weeks. He is set to address the nation on Tuesday at 9 pm (local time) [6:30 am IST Wednesday] amid the Iran war.
Rubio also asserted that no country is currently taking steps that are hindering Washington’s mission in Iran.
He said that the US may need to reassess its ties with Nato after the war, suggesting the alliance risks becoming a “one-way street” if allies refuse to support US operations, including denying access to bases and overflight permissions.
Rubio’s remarks came as European nations have declined to directly participate in military strikes against Iran.
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Nato allies over their refusal to support the US war against Iran, accusing them of doing “absolutely nothing” and even calling the alliance a “paper tiger”, while suggesting that Washington may reconsider its membership.
He also warned that the US does not “have to be there” for Nato and criticised European nations for denying military support such as bases and airspace.
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(with inputs from Reuters)