Rubio says it’s uncertain who will govern Iran after regime falls

Rubio said between 30,000 and 40,000 US service members are positioned within range of Iranian missiles and drones in the event of a strike.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators that Washington has no clear picture of who might govern Iran if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule ends, as US naval forces move closer to the region amid rising tensions.

Speaking at a Senate hearing, Rubio warned that American troops stationed across the Middle East remain exposed to potential retaliation.

He said between 30,000 and 40,000 US service members are positioned within range of Iranian missiles and drones in the event of a strike.

“Nobody can give an answer as to what will happen the day after if the Iranian regime falls,” Rubio said. He added that the president retains the authority to act first, if necessary.

“The president always keeps for himself the option of launching a defensive preemptive strike,” he said, explaining that regional deployments allow the US to respond quickly to protect its forces and allies. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Axios correspondent Barak Ravid reported the remarks on Wednesday as President Donald Trump separately described a major naval deployment toward Iran.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said, “A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela.”

He continued, “Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary. Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS – one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!”

Trump also referenced a prior US operation against Iran and issued a warning. “As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse!”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei responded earlier this week, cautioning that Tehran would deliver a “comprehensive and regret-inducing” reply to any aggression. Separately, reports indicated the US is considering targeted strikes against Iranian officials as the reported death toll from protests in Iran surpassed 36,000.