U.S. Expects Iran Operation to Conclude in Weeks, No Ground Troops Needed: Rubio

Cernay-la-ville: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States anticipates its military operation against Iran will conclude "in a matter of weeks, not months," as efforts continue to find a resolution to the conflict amid economic concerns. According to Yonhap News Agency, Rubio made these statements following a meeting with G7 foreign ministers, amidst reports that he informed his G7 counterparts about the expected duration of the conflict being "another two to four weeks." He confirmed that the operation is progressing as planned and emphasized the goal to avoid a prolonged conflict. President Donald Trump's administration is actively pursuing diplomatic solutions, including a 15-point peace proposal to Iran through Pakistani mediators. Despite the decision to deploy more troops to the Middle East, there has been a pause on U.S. strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure until April 6. Rubio expressed confidence that the U.S. can achieve its objectives without ground troops, preparing for "multiple contingencies." Rubio criticized Iran for imposing transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route, calling it illegal and dangerous. He urged global cooperation to ensure the security of the strait, highlighting the necessity of a postwar coalition to safeguard international waterways. The U.S. is awaiting Iran's response to the peace proposal, with Rubio indicating that clarification on negotiation details is still pending. The exchange of messages continues, and the U.S. remains open to dialogue to resolve the conflict.