Iran war justified despite unpopularity, says US Secretary of State Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that President Trump launched military operations against Iran to protect global security from the country's nuclear programme, despite the action's lack of public support.

Rubio declined to directly address the Republican party's significant losses in Tuesday's elections, which observers attributed partly to voter dissatisfaction with the Iran conflict and its economic consequences, including rising petrol prices.

When asked about Vice President JD Vance's recent social media comments blaming the war for Republican electoral setbacks, Rubio told reporters that Trump had "identified a very real threat" posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions and took action to prevent the Islamic Republic from developing weapons.

"He addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country—confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country—doing it isn't necessarily popular, but necessary," Rubio stated in Florida before departing for a Group of 7 meeting.

The comments represent the administration's effort to frame the controversial military campaign as a strategic imperative, even as economic and electoral consequences mount domestically.