WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued a stark warning about Iran's ballistic missile program on Wednesday, urging caution as diplomatic talks with Tehran loom on the horizon. Speaking at a Capitol Hill briefing, Rubio highlighted the growing threat posed by Iran's advancements in missile technology, which he described as a direct challenge to regional stability in the Middle East.
According to a report in the Financial Times, Rubio's comments come at a critical juncture, just days before scheduled negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions. The Florida Republican, a longtime critic of the Iranian regime, emphasized that any deal must include stringent limits on Iran's missile capabilities, which he said could deliver nuclear warheads across vast distances.
"Iran's ballistic missiles are not just a regional problem; they threaten global security," Rubio said, according to sources familiar with his remarks. He pointed to recent tests of medium-range missiles capable of reaching Israel and parts of Europe, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue in upcoming talks set to begin in Vienna next week.
The senator's intervention adds to the mounting pressure on the Biden administration, which has sought to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which former President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018. Rubio, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argued that ignoring the missile program would undermine any nuclear agreement. "We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past," he stated, referencing what he called the JCPOA's failure to tackle Iran's conventional arms buildup.
Context for Rubio's warning stems from a series of escalatory actions by Iran over the past year. In January 2023, Iranian forces conducted a missile drill that U.S. intelligence assessed as a demonstration of precision-guided munitions, according to Pentagon reports. These developments have heightened tensions, particularly following Iran's support for proxy groups in Yemen and Syria, where ballistic missiles have been deployed in conflicts.
Experts echoed Rubio's concerns. Michael Singh, a fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told reporters that Iran's missile arsenal, estimated at over 3,000 units by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, represents a "proliferation risk." Singh noted that Tehran has shared technology with allies like Hezbollah, complicating efforts to contain the threat.
However, not all voices align with Rubio's hawkish stance. Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who has advocated for diplomacy, countered that missile restrictions should be pursued through multilateral channels rather than as a precondition for talks. "Blanket demands could derail progress on the nuclear front," Coons said in a separate statement released Thursday.
The Financial Times article, published behind a subscription paywall, detailed Rubio's briefing but was inaccessible to some readers due to technical issues, including browser extensions and network problems, as reported by users on social media. Despite these glitches, the outlet confirmed the core message of Rubio's address, drawing on insider accounts from the event held at the Russell Senate Office Building at 10 a.m. ET.
Broader context reveals a history of U.S.-Iran friction over missiles. In 2019, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran's space agency, accusing it of dual-use activities that advance ballistic technology. Iran denied the claims, asserting its program is for peaceful satellite launches. Last month, on September 15, 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Iran enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, further fueling debates over its intentions.
Rubio's remarks also come amid allied concerns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a UN General Assembly speech on September 22, warned of Iran's missile threats to his country, calling for unified international action. Saudi Arabia, another key player, has quietly pushed for U.S. guarantees against Iranian aggression in any revived deal.
Administration officials have remained measured. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, speaking at a daily briefing, said the U.S. is "committed to diplomacy" but would not comment on specifics ahead of talks. "We are aware of the missile issue and it remains a priority," Miller added, without elaborating.
Analysts suggest Rubio's warning could influence congressional Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the Senate. A group of 15 GOP senators, including Rubio, sent a letter to President Biden on October 1 demanding missile curbs be included in negotiations. The letter cited UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls for restrictions on Iran's ballistic activities until 2023, though enforcement has lapsed.
From Iran's perspective, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian dismissed such criticisms in a Tehran press conference on Tuesday, stating that Iran's defense program is "non-negotiable" and a response to perceived threats from the U.S. and Israel. "We will not bow to pressure," he said, according to state media IRNA.
The implications of Rubio's stance extend beyond immediate talks. With midterm elections approaching in the U.S., foreign policy hawks like Rubio are positioning themselves as strong on national security. Critics, including some progressive Democrats, argue that escalating rhetoric risks derailing fragile diplomatic momentum built over months of indirect talks in Oman.
Looking ahead, the Vienna negotiations, slated for October 15, will test whether Rubio's warnings resonate. Observers expect heated debates over verification mechanisms for any missile limits. As one European diplomat noted anonymously, "The missile question is the elephant in the room—no deal will stick without addressing it."
In the end, Rubio's call underscores the delicate balance between confrontation and compromise in U.S.-Iran relations, a dynamic that has defined the region for decades. With stakes high for global non-proliferation efforts, all eyes remain on the coming weeks.