Rubio: Iran Seeking Missile, Drone Arsenal to Shield Nuclear Stockpile

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is seeking to build a large arsenal of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of protecting its nuclear stockpile from damage.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio stated that the only reason Iran is pursuing a disarmament and Strait-related agreement is that the United States is now engaging it from a position of strength—not weakness, as had been the case previously.

Trump announces cancellation of planned strike

Earlier the same day, former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he had approved the cancellation of a planned military strike against Iran.

The announcement followed hours of heightened tension and media reports indicating the United States was moving toward broad military escalation.

On Truth Social, Trump said the cancellation of the planned operation was conditional upon the ability to reach an agreement quickly—but emphasized that the United States remains fully combat-ready and able to act against Iran.