United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a comprehensive statement to correspondents at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, addressing the multifaceted Iranian threat, shifting dynamics in Iraq, and the strategic roadmap for the Gaza Strip. The briefing took place moments after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded his address before the General Assembly, during which he leveled harsh accusations against Washington.
1+Turning first to the Gaza conflict, Rubio asserted that a sustainable resolution can only be achieved through a Gaza Strip completely cleared of Hamas. He expressed Washington’s hope that a structured demilitarization process to extract all weaponry from the Strip will commence in the near future. The Secretary of State added that governance over the coastal enclave following the removal of the murderous terror organization must transition to localized ‘Palestinian’ leadership.
Addressing Tehran, the Secretary of State confirmed that commercial navigation through the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational. However, he warned that the Iranian regime and its regional terror proxies continue to represent an acute threat across the entire Middle East, singling out Houthi aggression against Saudi Arabia. Despite explicit threats recently issued by senior Houthi commanders, Rubio declared that the United States will remain steadfast in its defense commitments to Riyadh. While acknowledging measured progress in diplomatic engagements, he made clear that President Donald Trump maintains a comprehensive range of options—including direct military strikes.
1+Rubio also weighed in on developments in Iraq, where an initiative to disarm pro-Iranian militias recently commenced. While the militias were originally scheduled for complete disarmament next week, Iraq’s prime minister announced a nine-month postponement, pushing the target deadline to June 30, 2027. Unfazed by Baghdad’s postponement, Rubio maintained a measured tone: “We do not doubt the commitment of Iraq’s prime minister to restrict weapons strictly to state control.”