VAUX-DE-CERNAY, Mar 28 (V7N) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has projected that the ongoing military conflict with Iran is nearing its final phase, claiming that the operation will be successfully completed within a matter of "weeks, not months." Rubio made these remarks following a high-stakes meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers outside Paris on Friday, where he sought to reassure skeptical allies of Washington's strategic progress.

Operation "Epic Fury" Ahead of Schedule

Rubio informed reporters that the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, is currently "on or ahead of schedule." He emphasized that the primary military objectives—the degradation of Iran’s missile infrastructure and naval capabilities—are close to being achieved.

  • No Ground Troops: The Secretary of State reiterated the administration's stance that a full-scale ground invasion is unnecessary. "We can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops," Rubio asserted, though he noted that additional forces are being moved to the region to provide President Trump with "maximum optionality."

  • Missile Arsenal Status: According to U.S. intelligence estimates shared during the summit, approximately one-third of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal has been neutralized since hostilities began on February 28.

  • Command and Control: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed this optimism from Washington, stating that the elimination of top IRGC leaders, including the Navy commander, has left the Iranian regime's military structure "shattered."

Post-War Maritime Security

A significant portion of Rubio's agenda at the G7 summit focused on the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio warned that even after military operations cease, the international community must be prepared to prevent Iran from imposing an illegal "tolling system" on global shipping.

  • Global Responsibility: Rubio argued that since very little of America's energy passes through the Strait compared to Europe and Asia, those regions must "step up" and contribute to a permanent maritime security plan.

  • G7 Consensus: While allies like France and Germany have expressed deep concerns over the war’s impact on energy markets, there was broad agreement on the "absolute necessity" of restoring free and toll-free navigation in international waters.

Skepticism from Allies

Despite Rubio’s confident timeline, European ministers remained cautious. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper used the meeting to press for an immediate diplomatic exit, citing the war’s humanitarian toll and its potential to strengthen Russia’s influence in the region.

Rubio, however, remained unmoved by calls for an immediate ceasefire, stating that the U.S. is currently communicating with Iran only through intermediaries and that "concrete progress" is being made toward a favorable settlement.

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