Rubio pledges ongoing US pressure on Iran alongside Netanyahu
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran alongside Netanyahu.
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Journalists raise their hands as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday stood firmly behind "Israel," promising that Washington would continue applying "maximum pressure" on Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. His pledge came in the wake of a June war that saw "Israel" and the United States launch strikes on Iranian nuclear, civilian, and military sites, leaving more than 1,000 dead.
"A nuclear Iran governed by a radical Shiite cleric that possesses not just nuclear weapons potentially but the missiles that could deliver those weapons far away is an unacceptable risk, not just for Israel, not just for the United States, but for the world," Rubio said alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He added that President Donald Trump would not ease the campaign of coercion: "That's why the president continues with a campaign of maximum pressure. There will continue to be maximum economic pressure on Iran until they change course."
Netanyahu defended "Israel's" conduct in the June aggression, describing the destruction of Iranian nuclear and civilian sites and the assassination of nuclear scientists as part of "Israel's" resolve. He recalled Trump's direct order for US bombers to hit Iranian facilities.
"The decision by President Trump to target the nuclear facilities of Iran was not merely a militarily wise thing to do," Netanyahu said. "It was also a message to the entire world that the United States acts to defend its interests and defend its allies, and America has no better ally than Israel."
But Rubio's assurances come at a time when "Israel" is facing mounting regional and international isolation. The September strike on Doha, which killed Hamas officials and a Qatari security officer, has triggered an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Qatar. Arab and Islamic foreign ministers declared that Qatar's security is "an integral part of Arab and Islamic national security," denouncing the Israeli strike as a dangerous violation of international law.
Summit Signals Shift
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, heading to the Doha summit, urged Muslim nations to sever all ties with "Israel," citing not only the attack on Qatar but also Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen. He warned that the Gaza genocide, carried out with US and European backing, underscored the need for decisive Arab-Islamic action.
Even traditional US partners such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan are recalibrating their stance, with Israeli media describing the fallout as a "political tsunami" and a "diplomatic quagmire." Analysts note that the Doha strike has also undermined US credibility as a security partner, as Washington was notified only minutes before the attack and failed to act, leaving allies questioning American guarantees.
Against this backdrop, Rubio's insistence on "maximum pressure" echoes Washington's close alignment with Israeli aggression at a time when regional states are coalescing against "Israel's" escalating disregard for sovereignty and international law.
Read more: Netanyahu 'killed any hope' for captives after strike: Qatar PM to CNN
