Every major problem in Middle East caused by Iran's radical Shia clerics, Rubio says

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Iran's Shia clerics were responsible for every major issue in the Middle East during a recent speech. He emphasized the common factor linking all problems to the expansionist ideology of Iran's Shia clerics. Rubio described the regime as led by a religious Shia clerical class, with the clerics focusing on exporting the revolution rather than governing the country.

He further highlighted Iran's backing of Hezbollah, militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, and involvement in the Syrian civil war as examples of Iran's expansionist tactics. According to Rubio, Iran had the capability to have nuclear energy but instead invested in nuclear weapons. He claimed that if Iran had desired nuclear energy, they could have acquired it, similar to other countries like South Korea and Japan.

Rubio argued that the economic strain imposed on the Iranian regime through financial damages was sufficient, making military action unnecessary. He acknowledged the controversial nature of the conflict while asserting its necessity, recognizing the economic pain inflicted on the regime but also acknowledging the difficulties and economic consequences of such actions.