Rubio outlines US strategy on Iran, Russia-Ukraine, Cuba, and global security at G7 meetings
3/27/2026 9:56:43 PM
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the press following high-level meetings with G7 allies, providing updates on U.S. operations in the Middle East, diplomatic efforts, and global security issues.
“We had really good meetings. I mean, obviously it was an opportunity to talk to our allies in the G7 and outline the perspective of what we have going on with Iran,” Rubio said. He emphasized that U.S. objectives in the ongoing operation against Iran have been clear from the outset: “We’re going to destroy Iran’s navy, destroy their air force. We are going to basically destroy their ability to make missiles and drones in their factories. And we’re going to substantially – and I mean dramatically – reduce the number of missile launchers so that they cannot hide behind these things to build a nuclear weapon and threaten the world.”
Rubio highlighted that the operation is on or ahead of schedule and expected to conclude in a matter of weeks. He also raised concerns about Iran potentially establishing a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “illegal, unacceptable, and dangerous to the world.” The Secretary stressed that the U.S. is ready to assist a multinational effort to prevent any country or radical regime from controlling international waterways, and that G7 partners, along with countries in Asia, have a significant stake in ensuring maritime freedom.
On the topic of U.S. troop deployments, Rubio declined to discuss tactical details, noting, “We can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops, but we are always going to be prepared to give the President maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies, should they emerge.”
Regarding relations with allies, Rubio indicated no tension over President Trump’s comments, saying, “They never act that way in front of me. On the contrary, these meetings are oftentimes about thanking America for the role we played in trying to bring peace in Sudan, the recognition that the President played a key role in ending what was happening in Gaza, a recognition of the role we’ve played in stabilizing Syria… and the mediating role we’ve tried to play in this war between Russia and Ukraine.”
Rubio reiterated the U.S. position on Iran, distinguishing the Iranian people from the clerical regime. “Iran is – not the Iranian people. The Iranian people are phenomenal people. They deserve way better than what they have, which is a radical, Shia clerical regime that has basically taken that country’s wealth and used it not to build roads and bridges, not to build health care systems or universities… They’ve used the wealth of that country to sponsor terrorism, build rockets, build drones, build missiles, build sea mines. That’s what they’ve done with it, and tried to kill people all over the world.”
On Russia-Ukraine, Rubio stressed that the U.S. seeks an end to the conflict and is ready to play a constructive role, but no ceasefire talks are currently scheduled. He clarified that security guarantees for Ukraine depend on the war’s conclusion, not on territorial concessions, stating, “That’s a lie. And I saw him say that, and it’s unfortunate he would say that, because they know that’s not true.”
Rubio also addressed concerns over temporary diversion of weapons for Ukraine due to Middle East operations, noting that no diversions have occurred yet and U.S. military priorities come first. Regarding Russian support for Iran, he said, “There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran that is in any way impeding or affecting our operation or the effectiveness of it.”
On Cuba, Rubio reaffirmed his long-standing stance on regime change: “Cuba’s economy needs to change, and their economy can’t change unless their system of government changes… Economic change is important. Giving people economic and political freedom is important, but they come hand in hand. They come together.” He criticized the Cuban leadership for failing to maintain infrastructure and creating a system in which citizens can only succeed abroad.
Rubio concluded by emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in preventing Iran from controlling the Strait of Hormuz post-conflict. “We’ll be there to help. We’re willing to be a part of that coalition. But we’ve encouraged others to sort of put it together, and many today signified not only that they understood that message and agreed with it, but they were working hard to make that happen.”
“We had really good meetings. I mean, obviously it was an opportunity to talk to our allies in the G7 and outline the perspective of what we have going on with Iran,” Rubio said. He emphasized that U.S. objectives in the ongoing operation against Iran have been clear from the outset: “We’re going to destroy Iran’s navy, destroy their air force. We are going to basically destroy their ability to make missiles and drones in their factories. And we’re going to substantially – and I mean dramatically – reduce the number of missile launchers so that they cannot hide behind these things to build a nuclear weapon and threaten the world.”
Rubio highlighted that the operation is on or ahead of schedule and expected to conclude in a matter of weeks. He also raised concerns about Iran potentially establishing a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “illegal, unacceptable, and dangerous to the world.” The Secretary stressed that the U.S. is ready to assist a multinational effort to prevent any country or radical regime from controlling international waterways, and that G7 partners, along with countries in Asia, have a significant stake in ensuring maritime freedom.
On the topic of U.S. troop deployments, Rubio declined to discuss tactical details, noting, “We can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops, but we are always going to be prepared to give the President maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies, should they emerge.”
Regarding relations with allies, Rubio indicated no tension over President Trump’s comments, saying, “They never act that way in front of me. On the contrary, these meetings are oftentimes about thanking America for the role we played in trying to bring peace in Sudan, the recognition that the President played a key role in ending what was happening in Gaza, a recognition of the role we’ve played in stabilizing Syria… and the mediating role we’ve tried to play in this war between Russia and Ukraine.”
Rubio reiterated the U.S. position on Iran, distinguishing the Iranian people from the clerical regime. “Iran is – not the Iranian people. The Iranian people are phenomenal people. They deserve way better than what they have, which is a radical, Shia clerical regime that has basically taken that country’s wealth and used it not to build roads and bridges, not to build health care systems or universities… They’ve used the wealth of that country to sponsor terrorism, build rockets, build drones, build missiles, build sea mines. That’s what they’ve done with it, and tried to kill people all over the world.”
On Russia-Ukraine, Rubio stressed that the U.S. seeks an end to the conflict and is ready to play a constructive role, but no ceasefire talks are currently scheduled. He clarified that security guarantees for Ukraine depend on the war’s conclusion, not on territorial concessions, stating, “That’s a lie. And I saw him say that, and it’s unfortunate he would say that, because they know that’s not true.”
Rubio also addressed concerns over temporary diversion of weapons for Ukraine due to Middle East operations, noting that no diversions have occurred yet and U.S. military priorities come first. Regarding Russian support for Iran, he said, “There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran that is in any way impeding or affecting our operation or the effectiveness of it.”
On Cuba, Rubio reaffirmed his long-standing stance on regime change: “Cuba’s economy needs to change, and their economy can’t change unless their system of government changes… Economic change is important. Giving people economic and political freedom is important, but they come hand in hand. They come together.” He criticized the Cuban leadership for failing to maintain infrastructure and creating a system in which citizens can only succeed abroad.
Rubio concluded by emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in preventing Iran from controlling the Strait of Hormuz post-conflict. “We’ll be there to help. We’re willing to be a part of that coalition. But we’ve encouraged others to sort of put it together, and many today signified not only that they understood that message and agreed with it, but they were working hard to make that happen.”