Rubio defends Trump's Iran war, says US president acted to stop Tehran's nuclear ambitions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that President Donald Trump launched the war against Iran even if it was not necessarily popular to safeguard the world from the countrys nuclear ambitionsHe would not comment directly about the Republican wipeout in Tuesdays elections which delivered a resounding rebuke to Trump The unpopularity of the Iran war and its impact on gasoline prices and other parts of the economy helped Democrats seize control of CongressAsked about Vice President JD Vances social media post last week that largely blamed the war for the Republican losses Rubio told reporters that Trump identified a very real threat in Iran and worked to stop the Islamic Republic from pursuing a nuclear weaponHe addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country doing it isnt necessarily popular but necessary Rubio said in Florida before heading to a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in ParisAmericas top diplomat offered a robust defense of the more than eightmonthold war even as voters blamed Trumps policies for the hit to their pocketbooks including higher energy prices that stemmed from disruptions to shipments in the Strait of Hormuz a crucial waterway where onefifth of the worlds oil transited before the warRubios comments also put him at odds with Vance amid speculation of both of their 2028 presidential ambitions Trump told reporters Sunday that Vance was right other than that his vice president should have also insisted it was the correct choice to go to warI can tell you this historically for history will go down as one of the best things we ever did Trump said Because if they ever had a nuclear weapon they would blow up the worldIran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful According to the International Atomic Energy Agency Iran has 4409 kg of uranium that is enriched up to 60 per cent purity a short technical step from weaponsgrade levels of 90 per centWith no clear administration strategy to wind down the conflict and the Middle East on edge over the possibility of a return to major hostilities mediators are trying to revive talks between the sides Rubio said I wouldnt say were at the verge of a breakthroughHe reiterated that Trump prefers a diplomatic solution but right now it hasnt been very productive because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous and really not realisticThe Associated Press has reported that Iran was reviewing proposals presented by chief mediator Qatar aimed at addressing differences with the United States about Tehrans nuclear programBut Iran was seen as unwilling to negotiate with the Trump administration over their atomic activities until the US agrees to several core conditions that Tehran has been demanding be part of any ceasefire agreement officials have saidThose include ending the US blockade on Irans ports lifting sanctions unfreezing its assets issuing compensation for war damage and ending hostilities throughout the region including Israeli operations in LebanonWhile Rubio said there was no diplomatic breakthrough at hand Trump told CNN in a phone interview Sunday that as long as the US sees progress in negotiations with Tehran and they sign a strong agreement its highly unlikely its going to be necessary to resume strikesTrump said however that the US had identified infrastructure targets including 38 bridges that it would strike if military action resumesThe US military meanwhile still has carried out limited strikes on Iran including against its air defenses at least twice over the past week It also fired on and disabled a commercial ship Saturday that the US says was trying to breach its naval blockade on Iranian portsRubio acknowledged that the US will take defensive actions if needed If theres a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region we have a right to defend ourselves Rubio saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever