Rubio Hardens Iran Line on 3 Fronts as Trump, Vance Sell 47-Year Reset

3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 25

Marco Rubio used a Gulf tour to press a tougher public line on Iran, calling its clerical rulers “radical,” defending a harder reading of the MOU, and stressing ally security.
His message diverged from Donald Trump and JD Vance, who last week cast Tehran’s leaders as rational and potentially ready to turn over a new leaf after 47 years of hostility.
On missiles, Rubio told Gulf partners the US would not undermine their security, contrasting with Trump’s remarks that Iran should be allowed to keep at least some missiles because “other people have some.”
On proxies, Rubio argued a “careful reading” of the MOU bars Iranian-backed attacks by Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraqi groups, even though Trump had suggested those non-nuclear issues could be handled later.
Rubio also called Lebanon a separate track to be negotiated with Beirut, underscoring unresolved confusion inside the administration over how the Iran deal would constrain Israel and Hezbollah.