Secretary of State Marco Rubio told fellow G7 foreign ministers Friday that fighting with Iran will persist for another two to four weeks, marking the first time a top U.S. official has publicly extended the conflict beyond the four to six week window President Trump outlined when the war began.
Rubio made the assessment during closed-door talks in France, where he also claimed the administration was positioning itself for serious negotiations despite the fighting continuing. The contradiction underscores the uncertain trajectory of the conflict, which now involves thousands of additional troops heading to the region and consideration of options that would expand the U.S. military footprint on the ground.
According to three sources briefed on the meeting, Rubio stressed that Washington remains resolved to accomplish every stated objective before any resolution could take shape.
The Diplomacy Question
Rubio painted a complicated picture of the diplomatic landscape. The U.S. is working through intermediaries rather than engaging Iran directly, he explained, partly because uncertainty surrounds who actually holds decision-making authority in Tehran.
Two Iranian officials have expressed willingness to negotiate, Rubio said, but they need clearance from the top. Communications have slowed considerably because Iranian officials are avoiding their phones due to assassination fears, creating friction in back-channel discussions already hampered by the fog of war.
When asked afterward about potential peace talks, Rubio said the U.S. was waiting for clarification on Iran's negotiating representative. Vice President Vance is expected to lead the American delegation if discussions materialize, though Trump has signaled that Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner all have roles in the diplomatic push.
In public remarks following the meeting, Rubio said the U.S. expects the conflict to conclude within
Comments