Secretary Rubio: No Nuclear Iran, No Free Reign for Houthis
“President Trump has made it clear—there is not going to be a nuclear-armed Iran. That’s not going to happen under his watch,” Secretary Rubio.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a candid and forceful statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised American military leadership in the Red Sea and reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s uncompromising position on Iran’s nuclear program, casting the United States as the sole guardian of global maritime security.
“Everybody wants to get their ships through the Red Sea,” Rubio said on April 4. “We’re the only ones doing anything about it.”
Rubio criticized the international community for relying on U.S. action while offering little direct support in countering Houthi militants, who he labeled a “band of criminals” wielding “unfortunately sophisticated weaponry.” He cited more than 170 attacks on U.S. naval and merchant vessels, warning of the strategic threat posed by allowing the Houthis to destabilize one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.
“We’ve done the world a great favor by taking on this band of criminals,” he said. “The world should be grateful to the United States for being involved in this.”
While acknowledging that many regional allies are wealthy, Rubio noted their limited military capabilities and inability to “project power” in such volatile environments. He stressed that the U.S. mission in the Red Sea is not only justified but essential: “We can’t have a band of criminals controlling that.”
Rubio also addressed growing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, delivering a clear and unwavering message: “I don’t know of any country in the world that’s excited about Iran ever having a nuclear weapons capability.” He added, “President Trump has made it clear—there is not going to be a nuclear-armed Iran. That’s not going to happen under his watch.”