The United States has reiterated that its ongoing military campaign alongside Israel is focused on dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, with officials in Washington arguing that the operation is intended to reduce security threats across the region and beyond.
Speaking during remarks reported by Al Jazeera, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the central objective of the air strikes is to weaken Iran’s capacity to launch missile attacks and deploy military assets capable of targeting neighbouring countries and international interests.
Rubio emphasised that the operation is directed at infrastructure linked to Iran’s missile programme, including production facilities and launch systems.
"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."
He added that the campaign seeks to dismantle multiple elements of Iran’s military capabilities.
"It is to destroy the ability of this regime to launch missiles both by destroying their missiles and their launchers. destroy the factories that make these missiles and destroy their navy."
According to Rubio, the United States views Iran’s current leadership as posing a significant security risk both regionally and internationally. He accused the Iranian government of targeting neighbouring states and civilian infrastructure.
"I think we are all seeing right now the threat that this clerical regime poses to the region and to the world."
He continued:
"They are trying to hold the world hostage. They are attacking their neighbors. They are attacking neighboring countries, their energy infrastructure, their civilian population."
The US secretary of state also alleged that Iranian authorities have been responsible for attacks against diplomatic facilities.
"They're attacking embassies."
Rubio further described the Iranian government as a state actor engaged in activities that resemble terrorism, particularly through the use of missiles and drone strikes.
"This is a terrorist government. This is a terroristic regime."
He argued that the military operation aims to reduce Iran’s ability to carry out such attacks.
"And the objective of this mission is to destroy their ability to continue to do that."
Rubio said the campaign is making progress, asserting that Iranian military assets are being degraded through sustained operations.
"And we are well on our way to achieving that objective every single day with overwhelming force, with overwhelming precision."
He praised US military personnel involved in the campaign, saying their work is largely unseen by the public despite ongoing operations.
"The military, the United States military, the men and women in uniform are conducting an extraordinary operation."
Rubio added that while images from affected cities often dominate media coverage, the broader scope of military activity is not always visible.
"There 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."
He insisted that US forces are continuing to weaken Iran’s military capabilities on a daily basis.
"But I want everyone to know your military is getting the job done."
According to Rubio, the outcome of the campaign will leave Iran with reduced capacity to operate missile systems and naval assets.
"And every single day this regime in Iran has less missiles, has less launchers, their factories work less, and their navy is being eviscerated."
He concluded by stating that the objective of the operation is to improve international security.
"And the world is going to be a safer and a better place when this mission is accomplished."
However, reporting from Washington by Al Jazeera correspondent Manuel Rapallo indicated that Rubio’s remarks provided few new details about the operation.
The secretary delivered the comments during a ceremony at the US State Department marking World Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, an event that honours Americans held captive or detained abroad.
According to Rapallo, the statement did not introduce new policy announcements or updated intelligence assessments regarding Iran.
The ceremony also did not include a question-and-answer session with journalists, limiting opportunities for reporters to seek clarification on several issues.
Among the topics left unaddressed were Washington’s evaluation of Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader and the reported incidents involving attacks on American diplomatic facilities in the region.
Officials at the State Department are expected to provide further information as developments in the conflict continue to unfold.
For now, US officials maintain that the military campaign remains focused on weakening Iran’s missile programme and maritime capabilities while continuing broader strategic pressure on the Iranian government.