U.S. expects Iran operation to end in 'weeks,' can achieve objectives without ground troops: Rubio

▲ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press following a G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting before his departure from Bourget Airport, outside Paris, on March 27, 2026, in this photo released by AFP. (Yonhap)

Rubio-Iran war

U.S. expects Iran operation to end in 'weeks,' can achieve objectives without ground troops: Rubio

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the United States expects its ongoing military operation against Iran to end "in a matter of weeks, not months," as Washington seeks to find an off-ramp from the hostilities amid concerns about the war's economic fallout.

Rubio made the remarks during a press availability following a meeting with G7 foreign ministers in Cernay-la-Ville, France, amid an Axios report that he has told G7 counterparts that the conflict with Iran will continue for "another two to four weeks."

"As the Department of War has consistently outlined, we are on or ahead of schedule in that operation, and expect it concluded at the appropriate time here in a matter of weeks, not months. And the progress is going very well," the secretary told reporters.

"Obviously, we have some work to do. We have to finish the job, and we are finishing the job," he added.

In an effort to avoid a prolonged war, President Donald Trump's administration has ratcheted up diplomatic efforts, including making a 15-point peace proposal to Iran through Pakistani mediators and extending a pause on U.S. strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure to April 6 despite a reported decision to send more troops to the Middle East.

He expressed confidence that the U.S. is capable of meeting its objectives in the war without boots on the ground, while noting that the dispatch of more U.S. troops to the region is meant to help prepare for "multiple contingencies."

"We can achieve all of our objectives without our ground troops, but we are always going to be prepared to give the president maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies should they emerge," Rubio said, referring to a range of objectives, including destroying Iran's missile capabilities and its Navy and Air Force.

Rubio criticized Iran's move to charge fees for ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route that is responsible for about a fifth of the world's oil supply. The strait has effectively been choked off by the war.

"Not only is this illegal, it's unacceptable. It's dangerous to the world, and it's important that the world have a plan to confront it," he said. "The U.S. is prepared to be a part of that plan. We don't have to lead that plan, but we are happy to be a part of it."

Rubio called for countries that rely on the strait for oil imports to help secure the waterway.

"Not just the G7 countries, but countries in Asia and all over the world ... should contribute greatly to that effort to ensure that neither the Strait of Hormuz ... frankly any international waterways should ever be something that's controlled or tolled by a nation state or by a terroristic government like the one that exists in Iran."

The secretary underscored the need for a postwar coalition of countries to ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz.

"The world (had) better step up and do something about it, especially the countries that most depend on the strait -- rich countries, powerful countries, capable countries," he said. "We will be there to help. We are willing to be a part of that coalition."

Asked if the U.S. will receive Iran's response to the U.S. peace proposal, Rubio said that the U.S. has not received it yet and is waiting for "clarification" about negotiation details.

"We've got an exchange of messages ... We are waiting for clarification about who was it that we would be talking to, what will we be talking about and where, when will we be talking," he said. "It could happen at any moment. It could happen today. It could happen tomorrow."

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