Rubio Warns of Iran’s Expanding Missile Reach, Defends US Military Campaign

Washington, April 2026 : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran has developed missile capabilities capable of striking deep into Europe, underlining what he described as a growing global threat posed by Tehran’s military and nuclear ambitions. His remarks come as he defended ongoing US military operations against Iran and signalled that Washington remains prepared to escalate pressure if necessary.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said recent missile launches by Iran demonstrate a level of capability that its leadership had previously denied. He stressed that these systems could reach well into European territory, raising serious concerns among US allies.

Rubio further claimed that Iran’s missile programme is part of a broader strategy to extend its military reach globally. He warned that Tehran is actively working towards developing long-range missiles that could eventually target the continental United States. According to him, this progression represents a significant escalation in Iran’s defence posture and its potential threat to global security.

Linking Iran’s missile capabilities with its nuclear programme, Rubio argued that the two issues cannot be treated separately. He pointed out that Iran has enriched uranium to 60 per cent purity and retains the technical ability to quickly reach weapons-grade levels. He claimed that moving from 60 per cent to 90 per cent enrichment could take just 12 to 14 days, emphasising that such levels of enrichment have no credible civilian application.

“The only reason to have 60 per cent enriched uranium is to be able to enrich it further for weapons use,” Rubio said, accusing Iran of rejecting multiple opportunities to scale back its nuclear stockpile and comply with international expectations.

Defending the US response, Rubio said Washington has launched a coordinated military campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s capabilities. He outlined four primary objectives: dismantling Iran’s air force and navy, weakening missile launch systems, and targeting facilities involved in the production of drones and advanced weapons.

According to Rubio, US forces are progressing “on or ahead of schedule” in achieving these goals. He described the operation as one of the most effective tactical military campaigns in recent history, suggesting that key strategic targets have already been significantly degraded.

Despite the ongoing military action, Rubio reiterated that the United States remains open to diplomatic engagement. He noted that communication channels are still active and that there is potential for direct negotiations. However, he cautioned that any talks must be genuine and not used by Iran as a delaying tactic to regroup or advance its programmes.

On the issue of maritime security, Rubio warned against any attempt by Iran to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He said such actions would violate international law and severely impact the global economy, particularly countries reliant on energy supplies passing through the region.

Rubio’s remarks highlight rising tensions and underscore Washington’s dual-track approach of military pressure and conditional diplomacy in dealing with Iran.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)