"Lethal Force" Confirmed: Rubio Prepares Lawmakers for the Realities of an Iran War
Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio is set to deliver a highly classified briefing to the U.S. Congress, widely seen as the final step before a military declaration.
As Washington counts down the hours to President Trump’s State of the Union address, the man at the center of the administration’s foreign policy is preparing to brief the nation’s top lawmakers. Marco Rubio, who currently holds an unprecedented dual role as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, will conduct a closed-door, classified session for the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This briefing is expected to cover the latest intelligence on Iran’s nuclear progress, which experts say is now just seven days away from reaching a "bomb-ready" state. With the White House recently reiterating that the President is prepared to use "lethal force" if diplomacy fails, this briefing serves as the final effort to build a unified political front before the "beautiful armada" is potentially ordered into action.
The Role of the "Super Secretary"
Marco Rubio has emerged as a "Vice President on steroids," directing both the diplomatic and military pressure tracks of the Trump administration. His decision to delay a planned trip to Israel to lead this briefing suggests that the information he holds is of the highest strategic importance. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration's stance, noting that while "diplomacy is always Trump’s first choice," the military option is fully developed and ready to be executed. Rubio’s task tonight is to provide Congress with the undeniable evidence of Iran’s nuclear acceleration, ensuring that the President has the necessary political backing if he chooses to announce a strike during his 4:00 AM address.
The Last Exit Ramp
While the briefing is classified, the public posture of the administration remains one of "Maximum Pressure." The White House has warned that any leaks regarding Trump’s thinking are likely false, as the President keeps his final decisions close to his chest. However, the fact that a briefing of this magnitude is happening just hours before a major national speech indicates that the "diplomatic route" is reaching its end. If Rubio informs Congress that the Thursday talks in Geneva are a lost cause, the President will have no choice but to use the State of the Union to prepare the American people for a new and significant war in the Middle East.