Iran remains a ‘very grave threat’ to U.S., Rubio warns ahead of Geneva talks
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran remains a “very grave threat” to the United States and its regional allies, pointing to Tehran’s efforts to rebuild elements of its nuclear program and expand its ballistic missile capabilities as high-stakes talks set to begin in Geneva.
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Speaking to reporters in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rubio said Iran is not currently enriching uranium but is working to reach a threshold that could ultimately enable it to produce nuclear weapons. “I want everyone to know that Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time,” Rubio said. “After their nuclear program was obliterated, they were told not to try to restart it, and here they are. You can see them always trying to rebuild elements of it.”
The warning comes as the Trump administration sustains a major military buildup across the Middle East, including the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups. Tensions have remained high since a June 2025 bombing campaign by the United States and Israel targeted several of Iran’s nuclear and military sites.
Rubio underscored what he called the immediate danger posed by Iran’s conventional arsenal. He cited a “very large number” of Iranian ballistic missiles capable of threatening American forces based in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as Israel and other regional partners. “Beyond just the nuclear program, they possess these conventional weapons that are solely designed to attack America and attack Americans if they so choose to do so,” he said, adding that Iranian naval assets also pose risks to global shipping lanes and the U.S. Navy.
His comments set a firm tone ahead of Thursday’s scheduled talks in Geneva between U.S. and Iranian officials. Administration officials have pressed for a broader agreement that would address Iran’s ballistic missile program alongside nuclear enrichment limits and support for regional proxy groups. Rubio said Tehran’s refusal to discuss missiles remains a “big, big problem” for any potential deal.
President Donald Trump has said he prefers a diplomatic solution but has also warned of “really bad things” if an agreement is not reached within the 10-day timeframe he set last week. The administration has framed the Geneva talks as a test of whether Iran is prepared to accept tighter constraints and more intrusive monitoring in exchange for eased pressure.
Rubio’s remarks highlight the administration’s dual-track approach: emphasizing military readiness while keeping a diplomatic channel open. Officials did not outline a timeline for additional rounds beyond Thursday, and it was not immediately clear whether working groups would convene to address missiles, enrichment and regional security in parallel.
As negotiators arrive in Geneva, U.S. officials say the priority is to prevent Iran from advancing toward a nuclear-weapons capability while reducing the risk to American forces and allies from Iran’s expanding missile inventory and maritime threats. Whether Tehran will engage on the full scope of issues demanded by Washington could determine the trajectory of both the talks and the regional security posture in the coming days.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
