Rubio says Iranian regime must change, praises Trump's ambition in Middle East strikes

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes the Iranian regime must fundamentally change its behavior and cease its efforts to dominate the Middle East. "You might not have a regime change, but the regime has to change," Rubio stated in a Fox News interview, emphasizing that Iran must pay too high a price for its revolutionary ambitions.

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You might not have a regime change, but the regime has to change. They want to export the revolution. That does have to change, and the only way you’re going to change that is if you make the price of it too high for them to be able to pay.

Rubio lauded former President Donald Trump's administration, describing it as a force Iran had not encountered in decades. He argued that Trump's willingness to take direct action, unlike previous administrations that allowed Iran to "get away with things like lying, breaking deals," has altered the dynamic. Rubio credited Trump's military campaigns in the Middle East for diminishing Iran's conventional missile defenses, leading to current negotiations on denuclearization and the Strait of Hormuz from a position of strength.

In the same interview, Rubio addressed the Ukraine-Russia War, asserting that only President Trump possesses the unique ability to bring both sides to the negotiating table. He noted Ukraine's recent military advancements and Russia's collaboration with Iran, though he characterized Russia's role as a mere "irritant" in the broader U.S. objectives.

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I don’t think the Iranian regime has ever faced a president like President Trump, which is someone that actually takes action.

Former President Trump, in a separate social media post, called for a halt to strikes on Iran, suggesting a deal might be imminent and that he has Israel's support for this approach. Rubio's comments reflect a strong stance against Iran's current policies while highlighting a perceived shift in U.S. leverage under Trump.

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We’re the only country in the world, and President Trump’s the only leader in the world, that can bring the Russian side and the Ukrainian side to begin to talk about how you end it.