Trump hints at Cuba stopover after Iran war as Rubio pushes deal

President Donald Trump revived his threat of intervention in Cuba, suggesting US warships returning from the Iran war could stop near the island before Secretary of State Marco Rubio negotiates a deal. He made the remarks at a South Florida rally on Friday, days before the US midterm elections. Trump said a ship would stop about 50 yards off Cuba's coast, with Rubio then "finishing up the deal." He had floated a similar idea earlier this year but had not mentioned it publicly in recent months. Rubio posted on social media that "now is the time" for action on Cuba, urging change through a "discrete partnership with the CIA." Despite the tough rhetoric, US and Cuban officials have held recent meetings to explore improving relations, though Washington has imposed further sanctions. Cuba faces a severe economic and energy crisis since 2020, with widespread power cuts, food shortages, and hundreds of thousands of citizens emigrating.