Rubio Defends Trump's Iran War as Necessary, Diverging From Vance

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump's war against Iran as necessary despite its unpopularity, while declining to directly address the Republican losses in Tuesday's elections that Democrats attributed to the conflict's economic impact. Rubio said Trump acted to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, arguing the decision was "necessary" even if unpopular, as voters blamed the war for higher energy prices stemming from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. His comments contrasted with Vice President JD Vance, who largely blamed the war for the Republican wipeout. Trump named Rubio as a potential 2028 candidate and said he would not escalate the war, while Rubio said talks with Iran were not near a breakthrough. The U.S. continues limited strikes on Iran and maintains a naval blockade, with Qatar mediating negotiations.