Marco Rubio Schools CBS’s Margaret Brennan on Iran’s Nuclear Program [WATCH]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the United States’ recent military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities during a contentious interview on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday.

Appearing in his dual capacity as Secretary of State and Acting White House National Security Adviser, Rubio pushed back against assertions that the U.S. acted prematurely or without confirmed intelligence of an Iranian nuclear weaponization order.

🚨 LMAO! They have to keep changing Marco Rubio’s job title back and forth mid-interview because he switches roles based on the question asked 🤣

This man is an absolute beast. pic.twitter.com/sbvAH9GmM6

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 22, 2025

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

The interview with host Margaret Brennan followed Operation Midnight Hammer, which involved targeted U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The precision strikes marked a significant escalation in efforts to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Brennan opened by noting that Iran had not yet retaliated and questioned what intelligence the U.S. had about Iran’s capacity and intent to respond.

Rubio responded by emphasizing the administration’s preference for diplomacy, while also reiterating that Iran had been given ample opportunity to negotiate.

“We have bent over backwards… to create a deal with these people,” Rubio said.

“We even put an offer to them… a very generous offer.”

He added that the administration remains open to diplomatic engagement, stating, “We’re prepared right now. If they call right now and say, we want to meet, let’s talk about this. We’re prepared to do that.”

Rubio stressed that the mission was focused and not a broader assault on Iran or its people.

“It was not an attack on Iran. It was not an attack on the Iranian people. This wasn’t a regime change move. This was designed to degrade and, or destroy three nuclear sites related to their nuclear weaponization ambitions.”

Brennan pressed Rubio on the phrase “weaponization ambitions,” asking whether the U.S. had seen intelligence that Iran’s Supreme Leader had given an order to proceed with weaponization. Rubio dismissed the distinction as irrelevant.

“That’s an irrelevant question,” Rubio said.

“They have everything they need to build the weapon.”

He challenged Brennan’s framing, saying, “That’s not how intelligence is read… That’s not how intelligence is used.”

The exchange grew heated as Brennan cited public intelligence assessments that Iran had not yet made a political decision to build a nuclear weapon.

Rubio disputed that characterization, arguing that the evidence of Iran’s intentions lies in its actions.

“Why would you bury things in a mountain, 300 feet under the ground?” Rubio said.

“Why do they have 60% enriched uranium? You don’t need 60% enriched uranium. The only countries in the world that have uranium at 60% are countries that have nuclear weapons, because it can quickly make it 90.”

He continued, “Why are they developing ICBMs? Why do you have 8000 short-range missiles and two to 3000 mid-range missiles that you continue to develop?”

Brennan acknowledged that Iran had been censured by the International Atomic Energy Agency for its enrichment activities and non-compliance with nuclear non-proliferation agreements.

However, she maintained that the question of a direct order to weaponize remains significant in the intelligence community’s assessments.

Rubio reiterated that Iran already possesses the necessary components for a nuclear weapon.

“They have the delivery mechanisms, they have the enrichment capability, they have the highly enriched uranium that is stored,” he said.

“That’s all we need to see.”

MUST WATCH: @SecRubio schools Margaret Brennan on the Iranian regime’s nuclear program.

“Why do they have 60% enriched uranium? … The only countries in the world that have uranium at 60% are countries that have nuclear weapons because they can quickly make it 90%!” pic.twitter.com/XO8ol5jBIn

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 22, 2025

The interview concluded without resolution on the question of a specific weaponization order, but Rubio made clear that the administration views Iran’s current posture and capabilities as a sufficient basis for action.

The discussion comes amid heightened international scrutiny and anticipation of how Iran may respond to the U.S. strikes.

The Biden-era nuclear agreements have been set aside, and the Trump administration has indicated it will continue to prioritize decisive measures to counter threats from Tehran.

Watch the full segment:

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs