Iran remains a 'very grave threat' to the United States, Rubio says

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Iran poses a major threat

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that Iran continues to pose a "very grave threat" to the United States and its regional allies, citing Tehran's persistent efforts to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure and expand its missile capabilities.

 Speaking to reporters in Saint Kitts and Nevis ahead of high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Rubio said that while Iran is not currently enriching uranium, it is working to reach a threshold where it can ultimately produce nuclear weapons.

 "I want everyone to know that Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time," Rubio said. "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."

The secretary's remarks come as the Trump administration maintains a massive military buildup in the Middle East, including the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups. The tension follows a June 2025 bombing campaign by the U.S. and Israel that targeted several of Iran's nuclear and military sites.

 Rubio also highlighted the immediate danger from Iran’s conventional arsenal, specifically its "very large number" of ballistic missiles. He noted that these weapons threaten American bases in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain, as well as regional partners like Israel.

 "Beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do so," Rubio added, also noting Iranian naval assets that threaten global shipping and the U.S. Navy.

The comments set a firm tone for Thursday's scheduled talks in Geneva between U.S. and Iranian officials. Rubio emphasized that the Iranian refusal to discuss its ballistic missile program remains a "big, big problem" for the administration, which has demanded a broader deal that covers missiles, nuclear enrichment, and support for regional proxies.

While President Trump has stated he prefers a diplomatic solution, he has warned of "really bad things" if a deal is not reached within the 10-day timeframe he set last week.

 GAROWE ONLINE