Rubio sees 'finish line' in war with Iran

2026-04-01 15:54:52, Kosova & Bota CNA

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the "finish line" in the war with Iran is on the horizon, and once the conflict is over, the United States will "reexamine" its relations with NATO, after several European countries refused to support the conflict with Iran.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said that "there are talks underway" to end the war, with the possibility "of a direct meeting at some point."

"We can see the finish line. It's not today, it's not tomorrow, but it's coming," he said, without elaborating.

The chances of an agreement to end the war, which began on February 28, have increased in recent days.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on March 31 that his country has the "necessary will" to end the conflict with the US and Israel, based on conditions such as security guarantees.

The United States said last week it had presented a 15-point plan that includes dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, limiting its missile capabilities and ending support for regional allied forces.

US President Donald Trump said on March 31 that the fighting could end within two to three weeks, further strengthening confidence that a solution is possible.

"Messages are being exchanged, there are talks. There is a possibility of a direct meeting at some point," Rubio said.

Speaking beyond ending the war, Marco Rubio said that "unfortunately" the Trump administration will have to "reconsider the value of NATO and the alliance to our country."

Rubio and other US officials have previously questioned the value of the alliance if the US cannot freely use bases in allied countries to protect its interests.

"If we've now reached a point where the NATO alliance is going to say... that we can no longer use those bases to protect America's interests, then NATO is a one-way street," Rubio said.

Some European allies have refused to get directly involved in the conflict, which has seen daily US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Tehran has responded by launching missiles and drones at targets in the Middle East.

Iran has also de facto blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway used to transport about 20 percent of the world's oil and gas, and has attacked several ships, despite facing air strikes that have destroyed Tehran's military capabilities.

Media reports this week claimed that Spain and Italy – NATO members – had refused to grant permission for US military aircraft to use their air bases for military operations in Iran.

President Trump on March 31 sharply criticized France and Britain, the US's two closest allies, accusing them of not supporting Washington and telling the world: "Go get your own oil" and "Learn to fight for yourself."

Trump said he is seriously considering withdrawing the US from NATO, The Telegraph reported on April 1. In an interview with the British daily, Trump called the Western military alliance a “paper tiger.”

"NATO has never impressed me. I've always known it's a paper tiger, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin knows that too," Trump is quoted as saying.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Trump's criticism of Britain and other NATO allies for not supporting the US military operation in Iran.

"Regardless of the pressure on me and others, regardless of the noise, I will act in the national interest of Britain in all the decisions I make," Starmer said during a press conference in London on April 1.

"And that's why I've been absolutely clear that this is not our war and we will not get involved in it," he added./REL