Rubio on Monday described Iran as “the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism” and said the ongoing US mission against the regime will make the world “a safer and a better place when this mission is accomplished”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday described Iran as “the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism” and said the ongoing US mission against the regime will make the world “a safer and a better place when this mission is accomplished.”
Addressing an event at the State Department, Rubio said the objectives of the mission are clear: to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities, destroy missile production facilities, and weaken its naval forces.
“The goals of this mission are clear and it’s important to continue to remind the American people of why it is that the greatest military in the history of the world is engaged in this operation. It is to destroy the ability of this regime to launch missiles, both by destroying their missiles and launchers, destroying the factories that make these missiles, and destroying their navy,” he said.
He said the clerical regime in Iran poses a significant threat to the region and the world, accusing it of attacking the energy and civilian infrastructure of neighbouring countries.
“This is a terrorist government. This is a terroristic regime and we are seeing them conduct terrorism using nation-state elements, using weapons like missiles and one-way attack drones, and 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 objective every single day with overwhelming force, with overwhelming precision,” he said.
Rubio highlighted that despite limited surveillance in certain areas, the US military is effectively carrying out its objectives against Iran.
“There are not a lot of cameras down there covering what they’re doing, as opposed to some of the other images that you may see from some of the cities and capitals nearby, but I want everyone to know your military is getting the job done, and every single day, this regime in Iran has less missiles, has less launchers, their factories work less and their navy is being eviscerated, and the world is going to be a safer and a better place when this mission is accomplished,” he added.
Skyrocketing war costs
The United States is spending nearly $891 million daily on its military operations against Iran, with the first week of the conflict alone costing around $6 billion, according to Pentagon-based estimates.
Analysts warn that if the fighting continues, total expenses could quickly rise into the tens of billions, while the economic impact extends far beyond the region.
According to a New York Times report, the Pentagon has informed Congress that approximately $6 billion was spent during the opening week of the war.
Republican lawmakers are reportedly anticipating that the Trump administration will soon request additional funding to sustain the campaign.
IRGC warns US, Israel against attacks on energy facilities
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday warned the United States and Israel against carrying out additional attacks on critical energy infrastructure, saying Tehran’s armed forces would retaliate across the region.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for the IRGC, said, “We expect governments of the Islamic countries to warn the criminal United States and barbaric Zionist regime against inhumane actions, like attacks on fuel and energy installations, as soon as possible, or else, similar actions will be taken in the region.”
The warning came a day after Israel struck multiple fuel storage facilities in and around Tehran, which it said were linked to Iranian military infrastructure, and following US airstrikes on a major desalination plant on Qeshm Island in the Gulf.
Iranian media reported that oil storage depots in Karaj, Shahran, Aghdasieh, and Shahr-e Rey were targeted. Depots in Shahran and Shahr-e Rey had also been hit during the 12-day conflict in June 2025, though on a smaller scale. State media additionally reported damage to the 220,000 barrels-per-day Tehran refinery, though the full extent of the impact remains unclear.
With inputs from agencies
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