Rubio Claims Iran Has Missiles That Could Reach U.S.

Marco Rubio delivered a rare briefing to top US lawmakers on Iran just hours before Trump used his State of the Union address to say Tehran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, Andrew Roth reported for The Guardian.

The Trump administration insists Iran is developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. (Photo: Gage Skidmore Flickr)

Amid the largest US military deployment to the Middle East since 2003, Trump said he preferred a diplomatic solution but claimed Iran was developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States.

“They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas,” he said.

“And they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the US.”

Rubio said negotiations were ongoing but noted, “We haven’t heard those secret words: we will never have a nuclear weapon.”

He delivered a classified briefing to the so-called “Gang of Eight,” which includes senior congressional leaders and the heads of the House and Senate intelligence committees.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterward: “This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people.”