Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the United States initiated an attack on Iran due to anticipated military actions by Israel, which raised concerns within the Trump administration about potential Iranian reprisals.

Speaking to reporters at Capitol Hill following a briefing with lawmakers, Rubio stated, “We anticipated an Israeli offensive, and we recognized that it would trigger retaliatory actions against American forces.”

He characterized Iran as posing an “imminent threat.”

Stay updated with The Post’s ongoing coverage of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran.

Rubio elaborated, “Aware of the impending attack on Iran, we were convinced they would target us immediately. We could not simply sit back and suffer an assault.” He further explained, “Failing to act would have led to inquiries on Capitol Hill regarding our foreknowledge of the situation.”

Additionally, Rubio clarified that the aim was not to instigate regime change but to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities.

“The objectives of this operation are to destroy their ballistic missile capability and make sure they can’t rebuild, and make sure that they can’t hide behind that to have a nuclear program,” he said.

But he said there was no issue with the Ayatollah being killed.

“We would love for there to be an Iran that’s not governed by radical Shia clerics,” he said. 

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“While we would love to see a new regime,” he added. “The bottom line is, no matter who governs that country a year from now, they’re not going to have these ballistic missiles.”