Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan to discuss recent U.S. military actions and international policy issues. The conversation centered around ongoing operations in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have been disrupting global shipping routes.
"The problem here is that this is a very important shipping lane," Rubio explained. He cited 174 attacks on U.S. naval vessels by the Houthis, describing them as "a band of pirates with guided precision anti-ship weaponry." When asked how long U.S. military actions would continue, Rubio stated, "It will go on until they no longer have the capability to do that."
Rubio clarified that current strikes are not mere retaliations but an effort to deny the Houthis control over global shipping lanes. He noted, "We’re doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping."
The interview also touched upon Iran's support for the Houthis. "This was a message to Iran: Don’t keep supporting them," Rubio said, linking Iranian assistance directly to Houthi capabilities.
Regarding trade policies, Rubio discussed tariffs and international trade relations. He highlighted China's ongoing trade tensions with Canada and defended President Trump's approach to adjusting global trade balances. "For 30 or 40 years, we have allowed countries to treat us unfairly in global trade," he stated.
On another topic, Rubio addressed visa revocations linked to pro-Hamas activities in the United States. "When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest," he emphasized while defending recent decisions made by his office.
Rubio also briefly mentioned recent diplomatic efforts with Russia concerning ongoing conflicts but provided limited details due to negotiation sensitivities.
The interview concluded without delving into all topics fully due to time constraints, but Brennan expressed interest in continuing discussions at a later date.
