Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that the United States expects its military campaign against Iran to end within “weeks, if not months” and that it can achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops. Speaking after meeting with G7 counterparts in France, Rubio said Washington was “on or ahead of schedule in that operation, and hopefully will conclude it here in a reasonable time – a matter of a few weeks, not months.”He said that while some troops are being sent to the region, it is “to give the President maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to accommodate contingencies, if they emerge.”
His comments come as conflict continues to escalate across the Middle East. An Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia injured 12 US personnel, including two seriously, and damaged military equipment, a US official told Reuters. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, has disrupted global energy supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for some 20 million barrels of oil per day. Iran’s ability to threaten shipping has contributed to instability in oil and commodity markets. Rubio said discussions with G7 foreign ministers also included the risk of Iran imposing shipping tolls through the strait following the conflict. He suggested that European and Asian countries benefiting from the route should contribute to ensuring free passage.The US has begun deploying additional forces to the region, including thousands of naval and air troops, raising concerns about a possible escalation into a prolonged ground conflict. However, President Donald Trump has indicated that he wants to end the war and seek a diplomatic solution.Trump has said that Iran is negotiating with the US and is “begging” for a deal, although Tehran officials have denied that any direct talks are underway. They also set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face further attacks on its civilian energy infrastructure.US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington expected to respond soon to a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict, which includes demands related to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Meanwhile, fresh attacks have been reported across Iran, including against nuclear-related facilities and industrial sites. Iranian officials said there were no radiation leaks following the attacks on the Yellowcake uranium facility, a claim also noted by the International Atomic Energy Agency.The conflict caused significant casualties and economic disruption. More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran, while oil prices have soared, with Brent crude surpassing $112 a barrel. In the United States, fuel prices have also risen sharply, raising inflation concerns. Despite the damage, US intelligence estimates suggest that only a third of Iran’s missile arsenal has been destroyed, indicating that the country retains a significant strike capability.
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What impact do you think the conflict in Iran will have on global energy prices in the long term?
As the war continues, Gulf states have called for any final deal to include long-term restrictions on Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and safeguards to prevent future disruptions to global energy supplies.