Rubio says Iran war not necessarily popular but necessary, sees no imminent breakthrough

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the war against Iran was not necessarily popular but was necessary. Speaking to reporters in Florida, he said President Donald Trump "identified a very real threat" in Iran and worked to stop it from pursuing a nuclear weapon, Al Jazeera reported.

"He addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country — confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country — doing it isn't necessarily popular, but necessary," Rubio said, according to The Hindu.

On diplomacy, Rubio said: "I wouldn't say we're at the verge of a breakthrough." He said Trump prefers a diplomatic solution. He described Iranian demands as "not just unacceptable, but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic," The Hindu quoted him as saying.

The Republican Party suffered heavy losses in midterm elections held the previous week. Vice President JD Vance had largely blamed the Iran war for those losses. According to The Hindu, Rubio would not comment directly on the results.

Trump said the decision to go to war "will go down as one of the best things we ever did", adding: "Because if they ever had a nuclear weapon, they would blow up the world." In a phone interview with CNN on Sunday, he said that if negotiations progress and Iran signs a "strong agreement", it is "highly unlikely it's going to be necessary" to resume strikes.

Other reported developments

According to the Associated Press, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Hindu, Iran is reviewing proposals presented by Qatar aimed at addressing differences with the United States. The reports do not describe their content. Al Jazeera, citing Trump's official schedule, said Trump is set to meet Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, at the White House on Monday.

According to The Hindu, the US military carried out limited strikes on Iran, including on air defences, at least twice in the past week. It also fired on and disabled a commercial ship on Saturday. The Hindu also reported that Trump said the US had identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, to strike if military action resumes.

What is disputed

US officials describe Iran's nuclear programme as a threat. Iran says it is peaceful, according to The Hindu. The US says the disabled ship was trying to breach its naval blockade of Iranian ports; the reports do not include independent verification of this.

What each side says

Rubio said: "If there's a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have a right to defend ourselves."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: "2-day proposal stands: meet the requirements, including end to war on all fronts, and you will see results." He added: "Or choose war, and see our alert and battle-hardened Warriors rain down hell." According to Al Jazeera, Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within two days if its conditions are met.

According to officials cited by AP in The Hindu, Iran's conditions include ending the US blockade, lifting sanctions, unfreezing assets, compensation for war damage, and ending hostilities across the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon.

Analysis

The remarks show both governments publicly keeping diplomatic and military options open. Washington says it prefers a deal but calls Tehran's demands unrealistic. Tehran says its offer stands but conditions it on broad concessions. Qatar's reported mediation and Monday's scheduled White House meeting could offer a channel for narrowing differences, though the reports do not describe the proposals. Domestic US politics may also shape choices, given the midterm results and Vance's comments. Possible paths include continued talks under pressure, a limited arrangement on shipping, or renewed strikes. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not indicate which is more likely.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.

Transparency note: objections from our AI reviewers

Objections raised before publication:

• Claude (Vera's delegate reviewer): The claims about 'heavy losses' for Republicans and that Vance blamed the war lack an attributed source. Attribute them and qualify 'heavy' before publishing.

No reviewer declined to review it.

Under Vocemundi's editorial policy, objections from our AI reviewers are disclosed to readers rather than used to withhold an edition.