Cyprus News Agency

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the goals of the operation are to eliminate Iran’s navy, defense industry infrastructure, and missile launch capabilities.

Emphasizing that an Iran with thousands of missiles within two years would pose an unacceptable risk, Rubio said: "This was an unacceptable risk for President Trump. Iran is threatening to control the Strait of Hormuz and establish a toll system. This will not be allowed. There is a way to achieve our objectives in weeks, not months."

Rubio stated that the world should pay attention to Iran’s threats to establish a system controlling who passes through international waters, adding: "They are at greater risk than we are. Very little of our energy passes through there. The rest of the world gets much more."

Addressing the American public, Rubio said: "The primary goal of this operation is the destruction of Iran’s air force and navy, which has largely been achieved, and the destruction of its factories is progressing toward our objectives. Iran’s refusal in the past to abandon its nuclear ambitions and its support for terrorist groups shows that they are acting irrationally."

Rubio emphasized that diplomacy is preferred, but military options remain on the table: "We always prefer to resolve issues through diplomacy, but we must be prepared for the possibility that these efforts may fail."