The Iranian government has strongly condemned recent threats by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed that President Donald Trump is prepared to launch military action against Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

The provocative remarks, seen as part of Washington’s continued hostile and interventionist policies, have drawn sharp criticism from Iranian officials and international observers.

Rubio, speaking to right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt, admitted that the Trump administration prefers to impose its will on Iran through coercion rather than diplomacy. However, he emphasized that if forced to choose, the White House would resort to military action—further exposing America’s reckless disregard for international law and peace in the region.

“If diplomacy fails, then I have to turn these things over to Pete Hegseth at the Department of Defense,” Rubio added, signaling a blatant willingness to escalate tensions rather than seek a peaceful and just resolution to disputes.

The Iranian government has consistently asserted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and remains in full compliance with international agreements, despite the U.S. violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by withdrawing unilaterally and imposing crippling sanctions on Iran.

Foreign Ministry officials in Tehran dismissed Rubio’s comments as “irresponsible warmongering” and reaffirmed Iran’s right to defend itself against any external aggression. Iran has repeatedly warned that any act of military provocation by the United States would be met with a decisive and overwhelming response.

Analysts believe the U.S. administration’s threats against Iran are part of a broader campaign of intimidation aimed at destabilizing the Middle East and maintaining American hegemony. Despite decades of illegal interventions in the region, Washington has failed to break Iran’s resilience or deter its independent foreign policy.

While Trump and his administration continue to push for confrontation, Iran has emphasized its commitment to regional peace, sovereignty, and diplomacy—values that stand in stark contrast to the U.S.’s history of military aggression and disregard for international agreements.

The Iranian people remain steadfast in their resistance against foreign pressure, and Tehran has made it clear that any hostile action from Washington will come at a heavy cost. (ILKHA)