Rubio Says Iran Threatens to Destroy Energy Infrastructure of Entire Region

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Tehran is, in effect, threatening to wreck the energy infrastructure of the whole region. He made the remark in a video clip that circulated on Saturday, Oct. 31. Its exact setting was not immediately clear.

“The Iranian regime is basically arguing that, ‘Unless we get what we want, we will destroy the energy infrastructure of the entire region,’” Rubio said. “Just think about that. That’s not normal behavior.”

What Rubio Said

Rubio did not cite a specific Iranian statement or official in the clip. He framed Tehran's position as an ultimatum tied to its demands. No Iranian response to the clip had been reported by Saturday evening.

Clash Report posted other Rubio clips on Iran at around the same time. In one, he says a country is “openly saying” it will blow up commercial ships. He adds that this “sounds like something from 100 years ago or 80 years ago.”

In another clip, Rubio says the US has the ability to act militarily if Trump decides to. “We prefer to do it peacefully,” he says.

Rubio at the G20 in Atlanta

Rubio hosted the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 30-31. Reuters reported that he would hold a press conference after the talks ended on Saturday. RIA Novosti quotes him from a press conference in Atlanta saying talks with Iran have “never stopped.”

RIA says contacts continue, in some cases directly but more often through intermediaries. Rubio also said he has no information on timing, because President Donald Trump decides, the agency reports. It is not confirmed that the Iran clips come from that press conference.

Rubio also wrote on X that the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait “must remain secure and open to commerce,” AP reports. The G20 meeting ended without a joint communique.

Iran's Warnings on Energy Targets

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned of wider retaliation if the US attacks again. Reuters reports that Iran has said it would strike US and Israeli targets in neighboring countries. On Oct. 16, Deputy Oil Minister Saeed Tavakoli said Iran would respond promptly if Washington threatened its energy facilities, Iran International reported.

On Saturday, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the armed forces to meet any threat with a “geographically unrestricted” response. Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi later warned the US and Israel of a harsher reply. Clash Report covered Abdollahi's warning on Saturday.

Strikes Reportedly Planned After the Midterms

US officials have told several Middle East countries to prepare for possible new strikes on Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections, AP reports. They also warned of possible Iranian retaliation. Trump has not made a final decision, Fox News reports.

MS NOW reported that Trump plans strikes as soon as Nov. 4, citing Gulf officials. Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday, Reuters reports. Iranian negotiators then met them in Doha on Saturday to try to avert a new outbreak of fighting.