Rubio: The Iranian Government Cannot Acquire Nuclear Weapons to Take the World Hostage

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the Iranian regime can never possess nuclear weapons to hold the world hostage and be capable of attacking Israel. In an interview published on Thursday, February 21, on the U.S. Department of State's website, Rubio emphasized that President Donald Trump's policy is clear and stated that during Trump's presidency, Iran will not be a nuclear country. The Secretary of State mentioned that they do not discuss tactics or actions. He has issued an executive order to reapply maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. He pointed out that the Iranian regime uses every dollar it earns to fund its weapons program and support terrorism, adding that if you look at all the destabilizing actions in the Middle East, you will notice the Houthis' attacks on global shipping lines, and the attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, and militias in Iraq against Israel and U.S. forces. He also questioned why they should allow Iran to earn more money to support these actions. Regarding how the United States prevents a nuclear Iran, he stated: 'I am not discussing the options available to us or anyone else.' In response to a question about whether he is aware of Trump's orders to his advisors earlier this month regarding his potential assassination by the Iranian regime, he said: 'I am aware of what he has said,' and added: 'We do not get into discussions of tactics or options available in the United States.' He emphasized: 'Suffice it to say that if the United States wants to do this, it can lead to the end of the Iranian regime, but the President is a peace-loving person and prefers to avoid that.' Previously, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department emphasized the maximum pressure of the United States to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating: 'President Trump's statements on this matter are clear: The United States will not allow the Iranian government to possess nuclear weapons.' This spokesperson added in response to Voice of America regarding the warning from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency about the increase in Iran's enriched uranium stockpile: 'As directed in the President's National Security Memorandum, the United States will use maximum pressure to end the nuclear threat from the Iranian government.' On February 5, Donald Trump resumed the 'maximum pressure' campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran by signing an executive order. According to this directive, with the return of maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran, its pathways to acquiring nuclear weapons will be blocked, and the Iranian regime's destructive influence outside the country will be countered. Another section of this directive states that Donald Trump will not tolerate the Islamic Republic's possession of nuclear weapons capabilities and their ongoing support for terrorism, especially against U.S. interests. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned on February 15 about the significant increase in the Islamic Republic's enriched uranium stockpile, emphasizing that the opportunity to revive the JCPOA is running out.