Wasington DC [US], April 2 (ANI): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (local time) praised US President Donald Trump for delivering a 'powerful' address outlining Washington's objectives toward Iran amid escalating tension in West Asia.

In a post on X, he said, 'President Trump delivered a powerful speech tonight. He was clear about our objectives in Iran.'

https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2039515720166297879

Rubio highlighted the key goals laid out by Trump, emphasising a hardline military stance against Tehran, which included destroying Iran's 'weapons factories', 'navy', 'air force' and 'chances of ever having a nuclear weapon.'

The Secretary of State added that the President's message was intended not only for Iran but for the broader international community. He said, 'The President's leadership sends a message to the world that the United States will defend its people and its interests, and uphold peace through strength.'

Trump's outlined objectives signal a continuation of an assertive US posture, reinforcing deterrence while underscoring Washington's commitment to its strategic interests and allies.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump delivered his first major national address since the commencement of hostilities in late February, praising the American military for a 'decisive' blow against the Iranian regime. The US President claimed that the core objective of the campaign was nearing completion.

Speaking from the White House, Trump provided an update on the month-long 'Operation Epic Fury,' which he said was launched against the 'world's number one state sponsor of terror.' He asserted that over 'these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield.'

The US President maintained that the adversary's maritime and aerial capabilities have been systematically dismantled. 'Iran's navy is gone, their air force is in ruins, its leaders, most of them terrorists, are now dead,' Trump declared, adding that the country's broader military infrastructure has been severely diminished.

Detailing the impact of the strikes, the President stated that the opposition's 'ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed.' He noted that 'weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces - very few of them left,' and claimed that the United States is 'winning bigger than ever before.'

Trump argued that his confrontational strategy, including his previous decision to withdraw from the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, prevented a regional catastrophe. He claimed the earlier accord 'would have led to a colossal arsenal of massive nuclear weapons for Iran,' and asserted that without his intervention, 'they would have had them years ago, and they would have used them.' (ANI)