United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delivered a sharp and uncompromising warning to the Iranian leadership, asserting that the administration under President Donald Trump has adopted a policy of taking a head for an eye rather than the traditional eye for an eye. Speaking to reporters in Manila, Rubio emphasized that Iran would continue to pay a very heavy price for its ongoing actions and provocations. He noted that the Islamic Republic's economic and military standing has been severely weakened under the weight of American pressure and strategic operations.
The Doctrine of A Head for an Eye
During his press engagement in Manila, Rubio was specifically asked whether the United States would consider targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure, such as bridges and power plants, in light of recent comments made by President Trump. In his response, Rubio referenced a statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had recently characterized Iran's retaliatory policy as an eye for an eye. Rubio countered this by stating that President Trump's policy is to take a head for an eye. He warned that Iran must be prepared to face the consequences of its behavior, which he described as having a very heavy cost.
Economic and Military Degradation
Rubio provided a detailed assessment of Iran's current internal situation, claiming that the nation's industrial and defense production capabilities have been nearly destroyed. According to the Secretary of State, Iran is losing critical military assets, including missile launchers and radar systems, on a nightly basis. He further asserted that the Iranian economy is in a state of severe crisis, having already suffered losses amounting to billions of dollars, while rubio pointed out that due to strict media censorship within Iran, the global community doesn't receive the full picture of the extent of these internal damages and the true state of the country's infrastructure.
Diplomatic Back-Channels and Reliability
The Secretary of State also revealed that despite their public posturing, Iranian officials are frequently sending messages to the United States through third-party countries, expressing a desire to reach a new agreement. Rubio stated that they send messages every day saying they want to make a deal. However, he expressed deep skepticism regarding Iran's reliability, accusing the regime of a history of breaking agreements or attempting to change terms after a deal has been struck. He noted that even after reaching settlements, Iran has frequently violated the terms, making them an untrustworthy partner in negotiations.
Iranian Claims of Retaliation
In a parallel development, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian military have claimed to have conducted retaliatory strikes against United States military installations in Kuwait and Jordan. According to Iranian statements, these attacks successfully targeted and destroyed American air defense systems, logistics bases, and drone facilities. These claims come at a time of heightened tension as both nations engage in a war of words and military posturing across the region.
Potential for a Massive Military Operation
Reports suggest that President Donald Trump is currently weighing the possibility of a new and Importantly larger military campaign against Iran. According to a report by Axios, this proposed operation could surpass the scale of Operation Epic Fury, which was conducted earlier this year. President Trump has been quoted as saying that he's considering a very large attack, one that could be bigger than anything seen before. He indicated that he's close to making a final decision and that all necessary preparations are in place. However, Axios also cited two US officials who stated that as of now, no fresh orders have been issued to the military for a new campaign, indicating that the final decision is still pending.