Rubio: Iran still threatens US bases and regional partners

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Iran continues to represent a “very serious threat” to the United States, pointing to Tehran’s nuclear activities as well as its missile and naval capabilities.

Speaking amid renewed diplomatic efforts and rising regional tensions, Rubio warned that Iran’s long-standing military development programs remain a major security concern for Washington and its allies, Caliber.Az reports.

NOW - Marco Rubio: "Everyone should know that Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time." pic.twitter.com/RieTPZ5DhW

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“Iran poses a very great threat to the United States and has for a very long time…First and foremost, after their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it. And here they are, you can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it. They're not enriching right now, but they're trying to get to the point where they ultimately can. It possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short-range ballistic missiles, that threaten the United States and our bases in the region and our partners in the region and all of our bases in the UAE, in Qatar, in Bahrain," he said.

Rubio added that Iran’s threat profile extends beyond its nuclear ambitions. He pointed to the country’s naval forces, which he said pose risks to commercial shipping and could threaten US military personnel, describing a broader conventional arsenal capable of targeting American interests.

He noted that upcoming negotiations would primarily concentrate on Iran’s nuclear program, reflecting Washington’s preference for diplomatic engagement, while cautioning that significant challenges remain unresolved.

The remarks come as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain elevated over Iran’s missile development and nuclear activities, alongside renewed indirect negotiations in Geneva aimed at addressing those disputes. The United States has continued to push for restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program in parallel with limits on nuclear enrichment — demands that Iranian authorities have so far resisted.

By Tamilla Hasanova