Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the strikes conducted by Israel against Iran were ‘unilateral’ and that the US’s primary focus is the safety of American forces in the region. Rubio explained that Israel claimed the strikes were acts of self-defense and cautioned Iran against harming US interests or personnel.
In an official statement, Rubio said, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
President Donald Trump, earlier in the day, affirmed the US’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution concerning the Iran issue. In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The Department of State has issued an advisory, urging US citizens to remain vigilant and monitor local news due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. A post on X by the department stated, “Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex and can change quickly. We remind U.S. citizens in Israel and the broader region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments.”
Reports suggest that Israel believes it has eliminated key Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists in its initial strikes. The Israeli military anticipates that the operation against Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities will continue for several days and is prepared for a strong response from Iran. Military officials have stated that the objective is to remove the nuclear threat from Iran.
IDF officials have stated, “We are in the window of strategic opportunities. We have reached the point of no return, and there is no choice but to act now.”
