US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says military operations in Iran will end in weeks, not months, as strikes continue and Trump questions NATO support.
DUBAI/WASHINGTON/PARIS: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expects to conclude its military operations in Iran within weeks, not months, as airstrikes continued across the region over the weekend.
Rubio made the statement after meeting Group of Seven counterparts in France, noting the US was “on or ahead of schedule”. The conflict, which began a month ago with US and Israeli strikes, has now spread across the Middle East.
It has killed thousands and caused the largest-ever disruption to energy supplies, hitting the global economy and fuelling inflation fears. An Iranian attack on an air base in Saudi Arabia on Friday wounded 12 US military personnel, two seriously.
The war has strained US alliances, with traditional partners staying on the sidelines. Former President Donald Trump questioned the US commitment to NATO in light of this lack of support.
“We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be, do we?” Trump said at an investment forum. He added, “Why would we be there for them if they’re not there for us?”
Rubio said European and Asian countries benefiting from trade through the Strait of Hormuz should contribute to securing free passage. The vital choke point has been largely blocked by Iran.
While stating the US could achieve its aims without a major ground troop deployment, Rubio acknowledged some forces were being sent “to give the president maximum optionality”. Washington has dispatched thousands of Marines, with the first contingent due to arrive soon.
The Pentagon is also expected to deploy thousands of elite airborne soldiers. These movements have raised concerns the war could turn into a prolonged ground battle.
Financial markets tumbled sharply on Friday as the Brent crude oil benchmark topped USD 112, having risen more than 50% since the war began. In the US, diesel in California hit a record average high of USD 7.17 a gallon.
Trump has emphasised what he called productive negotiations for a diplomatic solution, despite Tehran’s repeated denials that any talks have begun. On Thursday, he extended a deadline by 10 days for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its civilian energy grid.
Iran reported further strikes on Saturday. Iranian media said at least five people were killed and seven injured after a US-Israeli attack on a residential unit in Zanjan.
The Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran was also struck. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Israel, with US coordination, had hit two steel factories and a power plant.
“Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes,” Araqchi posted on social media platform X.
Israel’s military said on Saturday it had detected incoming missiles from Iran and was attacking Tehran. Syrian state television reported explosions above Damascus from Israeli intercepts of Iranian missiles.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain also reported missile attacks early on Saturday. Israel additionally said it had identified a missile launched from Yemen.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, who have previously disrupted shipping, said on Friday they were ready to intervene militarily under certain conditions. These included if new allies joined the US and Israel or if the Red Sea was used to launch attacks on Iran.
