Rubio says war on Iran unpopular but ‘necessary’ to stop nuclear threat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has remarked President Donald Trump rolled out the war against Iran to safeguard the world from Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Key points

• For Iran's part, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remarked on Sunday that it was "time for the White House to make its own" decision on the war.
• Iran has offered to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within two days if the United States meets its conditions.
• Tehran is reviewing proposals presented by Qatar aimed at addressing differences with Washington, according to the Associated Press news agency.
• In recent days, Rubio has additionally denied "unfounded" speculation that he was quitting as the top US diplomat to run for higher office in 2028.
• According to Trump, although he mostly agreed with Vance, he did not regret the decision to go to war against Iran.

Rubio remarked to journalists in Florida on Sunday that Trump "identified a very real threat" in Iran and had worked to stop it from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

Trump addressed "difficult challenges for the security of our country – doing it isn't necessarily popular, but necessary", Rubio continued.

On diplomatic efforts to end the war, Rubio remarked, "I wouldn't say we're at the verge of a breakthrough". He continued that although Trump prefers a diplomatic solution, Iranian demands are "not just unacceptable, but in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic".

According to Rubio comments came after Trump had, "a lot of people didn't like" Vice President JD Vance recent comments blaming the US-led war on Iran for the Republican Party's crushing defeat in last week's US midterm elections.

According to Trump, although he mostly agreed with Vance, he did not regret the decision to go to war against Iran. It "will go down as one of the best things we ever did", he remarked, adding that if Tehran were to have a nuclear weapon, "they would blow up the world".

Trump additionally informed CNN in a phone interview on Sunday that as long as Washington sees progress in negotiations with Tehran and they sign a "strong agreement", it is "highly unlikely it's going to be necessary" for the US to resume strikes.

"American voters have made their choice, " Araghchi wrote on X, referring to the midterm election results.

He continued that Tehran's "2-day proposal stands: meet the requirements, including end to war on all fronts, and you will see results".

"Or choose war, and see our alert and battle-hardened Warriors rain down hell."

Trump is due to meet Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House on Monday, according to his official schedule.

In short, rubio says war on Iran unpopular but 'necessary' to stop nuclear threat is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.