Rubio claim of Israeli role in US Iran attack reverberates, despite denial | Donald Trump News
Washington, D.C. — Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday defended the U.S. military action against Iran, stating that Israel’s plans to strike Iran necessitated preemptive strikes by the United States. According to Rubio, the anticipated Israeli action would likely provoke retaliatory attacks against U.S. assets in the region.
Despite efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to clarify recent statements made by various officials, remarks by Rubio have drawn widespread criticism from across the political spectrum. Many analysts suggest that the conflict primarily serves the interests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than those of the United States.
The U.S. has provided Israel with over $300 billion in military aid since 1948, including $21 billion during recent conflict in Gaza. When questioned about Rubio’s comments on Tuesday, Trump offered a contrasting characterization, claiming the military action was launched to preempt an imminent attack from Iran. “They [Iran] were getting ready to attack Israel. They were gonna attack others,” he stated.
In response to the strikes initiated on Saturday, Trump has maintained that the threat posed by Iran justified the military response, a position which some experts argue may conflict with both U.S. and international law. Evidence supporting claims of an imminent Iranian threat to U.S. assets has been described as insufficient.
On Monday, Rubio sought to clarify his earlier assertions, indicating that his remarks had been misinterpreted. He emphasized the broader threats posed by Iran, including its missile and drone capabilities, while also addressing the timing of U.S. action. “We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action,” he added. “We knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them, we would suffer higher casualties.”
The shifting narrative surrounding the conflict has not mitigated backlash from critics, including significant voices from within Trump’s own Make America Great Again (MAGA) base. Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, remarked that Rubio’s admission suggested the United States was manipulated by Israeli interests. “If that’s the case, then there’s a serious conversation to be had here in the United States about U.S. and Israeli interests,” she said.
Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, questioned the rationale for American support of Israel, stating, “Why is it in America’s interest to arm and fund Israel to draw America into an unnecessary war?” Additionally, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called Rubio’s statements a “stunning admission,” asserting that they illustrate that the U.S. attack was not due to an imminent threat from Iran, but rather influenced by Israeli pressure.
In light of these developments, lawmakers have indicated plans to introduce war powers resolutions in both the House of Representatives and Senate this week, although they may face significant opposition from Republican members who largely support the administration’s actions. Such resolutions would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a presidential veto.
Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the administration’s military strategy, accusing Trump of aligning U.S. foreign policy with Netanyahu’s interests. “American foreign and military policy must be determined by the American people,” he stated.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie has linked Rubio’s comments to broader concerns regarding domestic issues, emphasizing the potential impact on everyday Americans. “The price of gas, groceries, and virtually everything else is going to go up,” he wrote on social media.
Critics from within the MAGA movement have expressed frustration with Rubio’s statements. Daily Wire podcaster Matt Walsh described Rubio’s comments as “the worst possible thing he could have said.” Former Congressman and Trump nominee Matt Gaetz echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that such admissions damage America’s standing.
Ali Harb contributed to this report.
