Rubio Defends Unpopular Iran War as Needed to Block Nuclear Arms

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran, arguing that stopping Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was necessary even if the conflict was politically unpopular. His comments came after Republicans suffered major election losses, with the war and its economic effects—including higher gasoline prices linked to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—among voters’ concerns. Rubio’s defense differed from Vice President JD Vance’s emphasis on the war’s electoral cost, while Trump backed both the political assessment and the decision to fight. Separately, conflicting public signals from Trump and Rubio about the prospects for renewed attacks and the state of negotiations have added uncertainty for markets, where oil prices and shipping through Hormuz remain key concerns. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful.