Rubio says operation in Iran is 'over,' nuclear material 'has to be addressed'
In his first turn at the White House briefing room podium, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Operation Epic Fury in Iran is "over" and that the U.S. is moving on to "Project Freedom" and efforts to move traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
ABC News asked Rubio on whether, 10 weeks into the conflict, the administration is any closer to getting rid of Iran's nuclear material -- given that President Donald Trump's primary objective in the war has been to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon.
In response, Rubio only touted the military successes of Operation Epic Fury.
"Their ability to build a shield behind which they could hide their nuclear program was wiped out. That's a very substantial achievement. And that was the purpose of this operation from Day 1," he said.
"But do you have to get their nuclear material for this war to end?" ABC News asked the secretary.
Rubio would not commit to that. Instead, he stressed that the U.S. is done with Operation Epic Fury.
"Well, that's one of the topics that needs to be discussed. I don't know about -- I think you're linking it. The operation is over. Epic Fury is -- the president notified Congress, we're done with that stage of it, OK. We're now on to this project of freedom," he said.
The secretary adopted a notably different tone from Trump, who has been quick to threaten additional military action against Iran.
Asked about the possibility that fighting resumes, as Trump has threatened it could, and whether that would require congressional approval, Rubio stressed: "Operation Epic Fury is concluded."
"We achieved the objectives of that operation," Rubio said. "I'm not going to, you know, we're not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace. What the president would prefer is a deal. He would prefer to sit down and work out a memorandum of understanding for future negotiations that touches on all the key topics that have to be addressed; a full opening of the strait so the world can get back to normal."
Rubio on talks: 'If there's a real diplomatic path'
Rubio seemed to concede that talks have stalled. Speaking about Iran coming back to the negotiating table, he said Trump's top negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are "working on that very hard."
"But Iran must accept the reality of the situation and come to the negotiation table and accept terms that are good for them, but ultimately good for the world," Rubio said.
"But if there's a real diplomatic path and we continue to explore it, Steve and Jared are working on that very hard. If there is one there, it could be one that leads them to reconstruction, to prosperity, and to stability, and to not posing a threat to the world," Rubio added.
This comes after Trump said on Sunday in a social media post that his "Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all."
But Rubio's comments hint that talks are not ongoing and that there is more work to be done in order to get Iranian teams to the table.
