PARIS— US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on March 27 that America is ahead of schedule in its military objectives against Iran and anticipates wrapping up operations in weeks, not months, without deploying any ground troops.
Speaking to reporters after discussions with G-7 foreign ministers in France on the US-Israel conflict launched late February, Rubio outlined key goals: dismantling Iran’s missile and drone production, navy, and air force capabilities. “We are ahead of schedule on most of them, and we can achieve them without any ground troops,” he emphasized.
Recent troop deployments to the region, Rubio explained, provide President Donald Trump with flexibility for potential contingencies, ensuring maximum optionality without revealing specifics.
He also warned that Iran might impose a tolling system on the Strait of Hormuz, urging European and Asian nations reliant on the trade route to help secure free passage post-conflict.