Rubio says US remains open to talks as Iran's internal divisions hinder diplomacy
WASHINGTON, AC: Amid reports that the Trump administration is preparing to widen its military action against Iran Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the divide in Iran is hindering US-Iran talks.
The US is making plans for a potential expansion of military operations against Iran as the US is sending more military aircraft to the Middle East.
Marco Rubio says Iran is hindering diplomatic talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Iran is continuing to send messages "directly and through multiple channels with other countries," indicating it was willing to negotiate, and that the US remains open to diplomacy -- but he noted that a "growing split" in Iran’s system complicates that.
"So, they’ll have to work out that split internally. We’re going to continue to respond," he said.
Rubio said the current military mission is solely focused on responding to Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
"The only reason why the U.S. is conducting strikes is against assets of Iran that are being used to attack global commercial shipping," Rubio said.
"Other countries should join us in this effort, but the United States is involved not just in protecting those ships but in targeting the places that they use to launch these missiles and drones."
Trump administration plans to widen military operation
“The US is planning for a wider war,” The Washington Post reported, citing an official. However, the limited munition is likely to affect the proposed plan.
According to the outlet, the Pentagon will be hamstrung by its insufficient stockpiles of air defense and long-range missiles. It will also be limited in its ability to bring more troops to the fight because of battle damage incurred during the fight against Iran.
“We do not have enough to safely sustain operations, and I don’t think the White House is aware of that,” says the official.
Combat operations to attend war objectives
Retired General Jack Keane, a Fox News senior strategic analyst, on Monday, July 20, made a case that the US will need to return to “major combat operations” for several weeks to achieve President Donald Trump’s new mission in Iran. Trump’s new mission is to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz.
“I’m confident we can execute the mission the president has given us. The reason I say that is because we’re fully prepared to go back to major combat operations,” said Jack Keane.
