Rubio tells allies Iran war will continue 2-4 more weeks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told G7 foreign ministers on Friday that the war with Iran will continue for another two to four weeks, three sources with direct knowledge told U.S. news portal Axios.
This is the first time a senior U.S. official suggested the war would continue beyond the four to six-week timeframe U.S. President Donald Trump has discussed since the war started.
Rubio also claimed during Friday's meeting in France that the U.S. was close to holding serious negotiations with Iran. At the same time, thousands more troops are heading to the region and the administration is considering escalatory options that would involve ground forces.
Rubio stressed that the U.S. is determined to achieve all of its objectives in the war.
Rubio told his G7 counterparts that the U.S. is still communicating with Iran through mediators, rather than directly, the three sources said.
He said there is uncertainty about who is actually making the decisions in Tehran at the moment.
Rubio added that there are two Iranian officials who want to hold negotiations with the U.S., but they need approval from the top leadership.
Rubio said it's hard for the mediators to communicate with Iranian officials because they are staying away from their phones out of fear they will be located and assassinated. That has slowed the pace of communications, Rubio said, according to the sources.
One of the sources said Rubio stressed the U.S. doesn't need G7 countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but wants its allies to join a maritime task force to police the strait after the war is over.
"Rubio said that the U.S. will need us in the next phase to escort ships or just to have an international presence in the Strait of Hormuz to show the Iranians they don't control the strait. Everyone agreed," the source said.
In a press gaggle after the G7 meeting, Rubio said the U.S. expects the war to end within "weeks and not months."
He also said the U.S. is waiting for clarification on who would represent Iran in potential peace talks.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is likely to lead the U.S. delegation if talks take place, though Trump has said Rubio, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are all involved in the diplomatic efforts.
Rubio also said one reason allies need to step up and ensure freedom of navigation in the strait after the war is that Iran wants to demand a toll from any ship that passes through.
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