US expects Iran operation to end in ‘weeks, not months’, says Marco Rubio
US Expects Iran Operation to Conclude in “Weeks, Not Months,” Says Marco Rubio
Following a surprise attack on Iran that killed its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, US officials have stated their joint operation with Israel against the Islamic republic is anticipated to wrap up in “weeks, not months,” according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Despite persistent violence in the region and Israel’s warning to “escalate and expand” its strikes, Rubio claimed Iran would emerge significantly weakened after the campaign.
Rubio made the remarks after a meeting with G7 foreign ministers in France, emphasizing the urgency of the mission. However, conflicting messages have emerged from Washington regarding the duration of the operation, which began on 28 February. While Rubio expressed confidence in a swift resolution, other officials have hinted at prolonged engagements.
“Despite the warnings, the firing continues,” said Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, following a pre-dawn strike in Beirut that killed two individuals. “And therefore attacks in Iran will escalate and expand to additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating weapons against Israeli citizens.”
Iran has rejected claims of progress in negotiations, dismissing Donald Trump’s assertion that talks are “going well.” The country continues to assert its defiance, even as Israeli forces target key infrastructure. On Friday, Israel launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, including a heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production site, according to Iranian news agency reports.
The Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation confirmed that the Shahid Khondab heavy-water complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake plant in Yazd province were hit. The attacks caused no casualties or contamination risks, the agency noted. Simultaneously, US and Israeli forces targeted Iran’s missile stockpiles and launchers, hitting production sites in Tehran and western Iran.
Economic concerns loom large as stock markets face volatility due to the war’s fallout. Trump has increased pressure on Iran, setting a new deadline for the country to permit unimpeded shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by 6 April. Failure to comply could result in the destruction of Iran’s energy plants, the US president warned. The strait, a critical route for a fifth of global oil shipments, has been under Iranian control, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blocking three ships from passing.
“This morning, following the lies of the corrupt US president claiming that the strait of Hormuz was open, three container ships of different nationalities … were turned back after a warning from the IRGC navy,” the Guards stated on their Sepah News website. Rubio acknowledged the challenge of maintaining open shipping lanes even after military goals are achieved, warning of potential tolls on the strait that could disrupt global economies.
The US has deployed thousands of marines and elite troops to the region, preparing for potential operations to secure the waterway. Iran’s vice-president, Esmael Saghab Esfahani, threatened to retaliate against Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port and the UAE’s Fujairah oil complex if a ground invasion occurs. “Step on to Iranian soil, and $150 becomes the floor for oil,” he declared on X.