Rubio Draws a Hard Line on Iran: “Either We Get a Good Deal, or We’ll Have to Handle It Another Way”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a firm message this morning (Monday) about the possibility of reaching understandings with Tehran, making clear that Washington is not committed to an agreement at any cost.

Rubio said: "Either we get a good deal, or we’ll have to handle it another way." He added that "we are going to give diplomacy every opportunity to succeed before we consider the alternatives."

Rubio’s remarks came after a senior Iranian official claimed last night that the United States had withdrawn from two key mutual understandings already reached במסגרת the talks. According to that official, Tehran told mediators it would not sign the agreement in its current form, because, it says, Washington has backed away from understandings the two sides had already worked out.

Rubio also addressed the possible impact of the emerging understandings on the Lebanese arena, making clear that from the U.S. perspective, Israel will not be required to give up its right to act against security threats.

In response to a reporter’s question during his visit to India about whether Israel would refrain from strikes in Lebanon as part of an agreement with Iran, Rubio replied: "Israel always has the right to defend itself. So does every country in the world.

If Hezbollah launches missiles at it, Israel has every right to respond and prevent that from happening. That is understood now, during the current ceasefire, and it will remain understood beyond that as well."

Rubio sharpened his tone even further when speaking about Hezbollah, accusing the group of undermining Lebanon’s stability and violating existing understandings. In his words, "Hezbollah has ignored repeated calls from Lebanon’s legitimate government to stop its attacks and respect the ceasefire."

He added, "Instead, it has continued firing at Israeli positions and moving operatives and weapons into southern Lebanon. This is a campaign aimed at destabilizing the country and preserving its power at the expense of the future of the Lebanese people."

The U.S. secretary of state added: "Hezbollah is actively trying to drag Lebanon back into chaos and destruction. The United States stands firmly with Lebanon’s legitimate government in its efforts to restore its authority and build a better future for all its citizens. Hezbollah’s threats of violence and toppling the government will not succeed."