US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that the United States expects its military operations against Iran to end within “weeks, not months” and can achieve its goals without deploying ground forces. Speaking after meetings with his G7 counterparts in France, Rubio said Washington was “in that process or ahead of schedule, and we expect it to be completed in time here — a matter of weeks, not months.”
He added that while some forces are being sent to the region, the goal is to “give the president maximum choice and maximum opportunity to adjust emergencies, should they arise.”
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“Trump prepares to…”: Marco Rubio claims Iran war is nearing the end without an immediate ground invasion
His comments come even as the conflict continues to expand across the Middle East.
An Iranian missile and drone strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia wounded 12 American soldiers, including two in serious condition, and damaged military equipment, a US official told Reuters. The conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli air strikes, has disrupted global energy supplies, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route that transports nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day. Iran’s ability to threaten shipping has contributed to volatility in oil and commodity markets.
Rubio said discussions with G7 foreign ministers also addressed the risk of Iran imposing tariffs on cross-strait shipping even after the conflict. He suggested that European and Asian countries benefiting from the road contribute to ensuring freedom of passage.The United States has begun deploying additional forces to the region, including thousands of Marines and airborne troops, raising concerns about potential escalation into a protracted ground conflict.
However, President Donald Trump has indicated that he seeks to end the war and seek a diplomatic solution.Trump said Iran was negotiating with the United States and “begging” for an agreement, although officials in Tehran denied any direct talks were taking place. He also set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face further attacks on its civilian energy infrastructure.US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington expects a response soon to a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, which includes demands related to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Meanwhile, new strikes were reported across Iran, including at nuclear-related facilities and industrial sites. Iranian authorities said there were no radiation leaks after the attacks on the Yellowcake uranium facility, a claim also noted by the International Atomic Energy Agency.The conflict has led to significant loss of life and economic disruption. More than 1,900 people were killed in Iran, while oil prices rose, with Brent crude exceeding $112 a barrel.
In the United States, fuel prices also rose sharply, raising concerns about inflation. Despite the damage, US intelligence estimates that only about a third of Iran’s missile arsenal has been destroyed, suggesting the country retains significant offensive capability.As the war continues, Gulf states have called for any final agreement to include long-term limits on Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and guarantees to prevent future disruptions to global energy supplies.