US expects Iran operation to end in ‘weeks, not months’, says Marco Rubio
US expects Iran operation to conclude in weeks, not months
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that the ongoing military campaign against Iran will reach its end within weeks, not months, despite escalating conflict in the region and Israel’s plan to intensify its strikes on the Islamic republic. During a press briefing following a meeting with G7 foreign ministers in France, Rubio stated that Iran would emerge “weaker than it has been in recent history” once the operation concludes. His remarks come amid a volatile situation marked by continuous attacks and the potential for further escalation.
Military Escalation and Strategic Targets
The coordinated assault between US and Israeli forces began with a surprise strike on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Officials have provided inconsistent messages about the duration of the campaign, but Rubio’s declaration suggests a swift resolution. Meanwhile, Iran has dismissed claims of progress in negotiations, insisting that talks are not occurring and that the US is merely prolonging the conflict.
“Despite the warnings, the firing continues,” said Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed two individuals. “And therefore attacks in Iran will escalate and expand to additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating weapons against Israeli citizens.”
Economic Pressures and Oil Disputes
As tensions rise, economic repercussions are intensifying. Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade, has become a focal point of concern. The IRGC announced that it had intercepted three ships attempting to pass through the waterway, accusing the US of misleading the public about its openness. “This morning, following the lies of the corrupt US president claiming that the strait of Hormuz was open, three container ships of different nationalities … were turned back after a warning from the IRGC navy,” the IRGC stated on its Sepah News website.
Trump has set a deadline for Iran to allow unimpeded shipping through the strait, threatening to destroy its energy infrastructure if the condition is not met by April 6. The US has also deployed thousands of marines and elite troops to the area, possibly preparing for a bold move to secure the waterway. If a ground invasion occurs, Iran’s vice-president, Esmael Saghab Esfahani, warned of retaliatory strikes against Yanbu and the Fujairah oil complex in the UAE, stating, “Step onto Iranian soil, and $150 becomes the floor for oil.”
Nuclear Facilities and Missiles Under Fire
Recent strikes focused on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, with Israeli forces targeting a heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production site. According to the Iranian news agency, the Shahid Khondab facility in Arak and the Ardakan plant in Yazd province were hit, though no casualties or contamination risks were reported. The US and Israel have also launched attacks on Iran’s missile arsenal, including production sites and launchers in western regions. “Our strikes hit sites in the heart of Tehran where ballistic missiles and other weapons are developed,” the Israeli military stated.
With global markets fluctuating and economic fallout spreading beyond the Middle East, pressure on Trump has mounted. The operation’s success in weakening Iran’s capabilities remains a key goal, but Rubio warned that securing the strait’s free passage could still pose an immediate challenge, even after military objectives are met. He emphasized the need for a unified international response to Iran’s potential imposition of tolls on the waterway.
