Rubio Admits Tens of Thousands of US Troops Are Within Range of Iranian Missiles
The foreign minister while repeating the delusions and arrogance of his president, admitted to the deadly consequences of any military adventurism against Iran
Iran | PUREWILAYAH.COM — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged that tens of thousands of American troops deployed across West Asia are within the operational range of Iranian missiles and drones, effectively conceding the vulnerability of US forces stationed near Iran’s borders.
Speaking during a hearing at the US Congress, The foreign minister of the Trump administration, while repeating the delusions and arrogance of his president against Iran and the stature of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, at the same time admitted to the deadly consequences of any military adventurism against Iran.
Rubio stated that between 30,000 and 40,000 American troops are deployed across eight or nine military bases in the region, all of which fall within the reach of Iran’s ballistic missile and drone capabilities.
“All of these are within range of thousands of Iranian drones and ballistic missiles,” Rubio said, describing Iran’s capabilities as a direct threat to the continued US military presence in the region.
Acknowledgment of Iranian Deterrence
Rubio, while asserting Washington’s claimed right to preemptive action, stated that the Trump administration continues to reserve what it describes as the option of “preemptive defense.” a formulation Washington has repeatedly used to justify military escalation abroad.
“The president always reserves the option of preemptive defense,” Rubio stated, adding that the United States seeks to maintain sufficient force posture in the region to respond militarily should Iran decide to target US forces.
He further acknowledged Iran’s military capabilities, noting that Tehran has developed “thousands upon thousands of ballistic missiles,” a statement that implicitly recognizes Iran’s deterrence power against foreign military deployments near its borders.
US Military Presence Under Scrutiny
Rubio also admitted that the large-scale US military deployment itself necessitates heightened defensive measures, saying that Washington must maintain enough forces and capabilities in the region to protect its troops if they come under attack.
“We must have sufficient forces and capabilities in the region to defend ourselves if Iran decides to attack our forces,” he said, while expressing hope that the situation would not escalate to open military confrontation.
Escalatory Rhetoric Amid Diplomatic Pressure
The remarks came as President Donald Trump has issued increasingly explicit threats of military action should Iran refuse negotiations over its nuclear program. US officials have repeatedly cited Iran’s missile and drone arsenal as justification for Washington’s military posture in the region.
Iranian officials, however, have consistently rejected negotiations conducted under coercion or threat. Ali Shamkhani, adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, previously warned that any US military action would be regarded as the start of a war and would be met with an immediate, comprehensive, and unprecedented response, including against Tel Aviv and US regional allies.
Despite Washington’s threats, Iranian officials maintain that Iran’s military capabilities are purely defensive and rooted in deterrence, while the United States continues to operate military bases thousands of kilometers away from its own territory.