Rubio: Iran is "trying to hold the world hostage" through retaliatory strikes

Washington, March 9 (SANA) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the Iranian regime on Monday of attempting to “blackmail the world” and threaten global stability through its ongoing retaliatory strikes. Speaking at an event at the State Department, Rubio emphasized that the United States remains committed to its military objectives against Tehran, moving forward according to a pre-defined strategic path.

“I think we are all seeing right now the threat this clerical regime poses to the region and to the world,” Rubio stated during the ceremony, which was held to honor wrongfully detained Americans and hostages. “They are trying to hold the world hostage.”

The Secretary of State highlighted that Iran’s current attacks are intentionally targeting neighboring countries, their vital energy infrastructure, and civilian populations. He reaffirmed that the primary goal of Operation Epic Fury—the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign—is to systematically dismantle the capabilities that allow Tehran to carry out such aggression. “The objective of this mission is to destroy their ability to continue to do that, and we are well on our way to achieving that,” Rubio added.

These remarks come as the conflict, which began on February 28, enters its second week. While U.S. Central Command reports a significant decline in Iranian launch rates due to the destruction of missile factories and naval assets, Tehran continues to strike at regional targets, including hotels, airports, and energy facilities, leading to widespread material damage and civilian casualties across the Middle East.