• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims US strikes on Iran were preemptively triggered by Israeli plans.
• He emphasized an "imminent threat" from Iran aiming at US forces if attacked.
• American and Israeli forces coordinated their attacks under the belief that Iran would retaliate.
• Rubio hopes for the overthrow of Iran's regime but prioritizes military objectives.
• The strikes follow prior discussions between US and Iranian officials over nuclear issues.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the recent US strikes on Iran were primarily influenced by the anticipated military action from Israel, which prompted fears of retaliation against US forces. "We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that would precipitate an attack against American forces," Rubio stated, emphasizing the need for a preemptive response to avoid higher casualties from expected Iranian retaliation, according to Al Jazeera, Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and Anadolu Agency.

Rubio reiterated that if the US had waited for Iran to act first, it would incur greater damages. He defined the situation as an "imminent threat," linking it to Iran's missile capabilities and a broader regional destabilization. "We were not going to sit there and absorb a blow," he explained, highlighting the administration's perspective that the airstrikes were a necessary preventive measure, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

The airstrikes occurred shortly after Israeli operations targeted key Iranian leadership figures, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rubio indicated that this collaboration between the US and Israel was intended to mitigate any backlash from Iran's response to the attacks, underscoring the complex international relations at play. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the strikes were a coordinated effort initiated by Israel, with significant discussions preceding this action, as reported by Le Monde and Anadolu Agency.

While Rubio expressed hope for the Iranian populace to overthrow their government, he stressed that the objective of the US military operations is primarily focused on crippling Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and mitigating the threat posed by their navy to international shipping. "Ultimately this operation needed to happen," Rubio stressed, indicating a resolute stance on continued military efforts against Iran, according to Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and Anadolu Agency.