Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States attacked Iran only after learning of an impending strike by ally Israel. This action was taken to prevent retaliation against U.S. forces.
"We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn't preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties," Rubio told reporters.
He explained that Iran had instructed field commanders to respond automatically to any U.S. military engagement. Rubio emphasized that waiting for Iran's attack would have resulted in significantly higher U.S. casualties, leading President Trump to authorize a preemptive strike alongside Israel.
Rubio confirmed an "imminent threat" existed, as U.S. intelligence indicated Iran would retaliate immediately if attacked. "We were not going to sit there and absorb a blow," he added.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated Israel conducted a strike in Tehran targeting Iran's supreme leader and other officials. Rubio, however, asserted the Trump administration believed striking Iran was necessary regardless of the timing trigger.
While the U.S. supports the potential overthrow of Iran's clerical state by its people, Rubio clarified the mission's objective is the destruction of Iran's ballistic missile and naval capabilities.