Breaking News: Rubio Issues Major Warning On Iran During Explosive ASEAN Remarks | DRM News | AC1F

[00:00:00]stations were about.

[00:00:00]>> Mr. Secretary, a lot of the ASEAN countries have expressed how terrible the war in Iran is for them when it comes to economically and the energy crunch. But, Israel's finance minister sort of struck a tone in a different direction, said that the the tit-for-tat is actually the best possible situation for Israel because it's weakening Iran. Does this show that there are some differences between the United States and Israel when it comes to how they view this war? The United States is trying to end this Israeli hostilities continuing is in their benefit.

[00:00:33]>> Yeah, look, I can't comment on what some one individual in government said in Israel. You know, I can just generally tell you that by and large we think that a nuclear armed Iran is an unacceptable thing. It can't happen. And that's what they were going to do if they hid behind this conventional shield that they were building. And the president just wasn't going to stand by and allow that to happen.

[00:00:53]Within 2 years, Iran could say we're breaking out to a nuclear weapon, you can't do anything about it, or we're going to overwhelm you with tens of thousands of drones and missiles, which they were on pace to build. They can't do that now. That certainly weakened them.

[00:01:04]As far as the impact it's had on the global economy, I mean Iran is targeting global shipping in international waterway and demanding to control which ships can go and which ones cannot. That just is unacceptable.

[00:01:15]We're not going to accept that. We're not going to allow that to be the status quo.

[00:01:20]But, ultimately, there are other countries that should feel just as strongly as we do because they're actually more impacted by it than we are.

[00:01:25]>> Did you discuss with Mr. Jaishankar, did he raise at all any concern by India about the tariffs announced by the president on generic drug makers? A lot of Americans buy their generic drugs from Indian companies that import. Is that something that came up in your discussions at all?

[00:01:41]>> I mean, not with me. I mean, we we didn't get into depth on pharmaceuticals today. Obviously, I would expect them to be concerned about it, but they didn't raise it today. But, they might have with others in our system because we we obviously deal with India. We're very close to them. So >> Mr. Secretary, you and the president are very one [snorts] in your anti-communist language. Recently, you put out that research report on Cuba.

[00:01:59]Do you think it's inconsistent in that you haven't addressed the same issues with China? They're the largest communist party in the world, 100 million >> Yeah, but our issue is with communist interference inside of our country. Like that report was about what these different elements do to interfere in our country and to undermine our foreign policy and to >> talked about Chinese election interference in the US and there and as we know there are many other ways in which China has influence within the US.

[00:02:23]>> Well, again, what the president put out on Thursday that was a declassification of documents from our intelligence community. That's what he put out. He declassified intelligence assessments from our intelligence community. But your question was about communist influence. Yeah, the United States doesn't want to be a communist country.

[00:02:37]We're never going to be a communist country and we're not going to allow communist influences to undermine our politics or our society.

[00:02:44]Um so I don't know what the inconsistency you're referring to is.

[00:02:46]It's very clear. I don't you know, obviously we understand the Chinese system and other systems, but uh I can tell you our system doesn't want communism. And and we're certainly not going to allow communist efforts to undermine American society and drive wedges into our country and and that's what we're seeing. You know, and by the way, one of the leading, you know, culprits of that for many years, the intellectual authors of particularly in our hemisphere, is the Cuban regime which which our report on Monday outlined.

[00:03:13]>> I think our Cubans having a bigger impact than Chinese.

[00:03:16]>> express concern regarding the clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea?

[00:03:21]>> Did we discuss it with >> clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea?

[00:03:26]>> been a high-profile issue. We've all seen it and you know, it's a sort of an escalatory thing that that we think is very negative and you know, benefits no one and obviously we've reiterated in every meeting we've had that the US has a a treaty um arrangement with the Philippines. I believe we're the only treaty partner the Philippines has. We intend to live up to our treaty obligations and I think we've done so and we'll continue to do so.

[00:03:50]>> In terms of escalation, situation, how is it to inspire confidence at these meetings, such as the ones you've had today, that the US can bring an end a quick end to the war in Iran?

[00:04:01]>> Um I'm sorry, you quite What was the >> Is it difficult to inspire confidence that the US can swiftly and effectively end the war in Iran?

[00:04:07]>> Oh, I think everybody here understands that the US would love to reach a diplomatic settlement. We would love to reach an agreement if it were possible with Iran that would ensure they never have a nuclear weapon, and obviously help stop them and and we would love to have an agreement where they they say, "We're no longer sponsor terrorism, and we won't and we won't not pursue a nuclear weapon or the things you need for a nuclear weapon." I think if there's a lack of confidence, it's the lack of confidence that the Iranian regime will ever agree to any of those things. Um that that would be the lack of confidence, and the bigger lack of confidence should be that they've already made commitments very recently in an memorandum of understanding, and within 2 weeks have violated it. So, I think if there's any undermining of confidence, it's confidence that the Iranian system as it currently is is structured can reach an agreement. And so, you you wonder whether they're serious about an agreement in the short term. But look, we always The president always prefers to negotiate and reach a deal on these things. And we're prepared willing to do that. We've tried to do that now for a year and a half, but we're also not going to sit by and let ships be blown up or Americans be attacked.

[00:05:05]>> Do you think you hope for a compromise even though Iran refuses to negotiate seriously?

[00:05:08]>> Who's this?

[00:05:09]>> If Iran refuses to negotiate seriously, >> Iran? Yeah.

[00:05:11]>> what is the next step? So, more sanctions, more military actions? Are you prepared for long-term confrontation by Iran?

[00:05:18]>> Well, the president has many options available to him if they continue to insist on not being cooperative, and I won't get ahead of the president on any of those, but uh I think Iran knows we have many options as well.

[00:05:28]>> The business suggested The second business suggested that Iran should be added to Russia sanctions act. Is this kind of acknowledgement of Moscow-Tehran growing alliance?

[00:05:37]>> Of what now?

[00:05:37]>> Uh you know, are you guys acknowledging this growing alliance between the two cuz you're adding the suggestion to add Iran to Russia sanctions act?

[00:05:45]>> Oh, I just think the president views this as a legislative vehicle that's going to pass in Congress and provide some more authorities to impose higher economic costs on Iran if it's necessary to do so. So, I don't think it has I I don't I think it's just the bill that's moving and it's a sanctions bill and so it makes sense if you're going to add additional sanctions to do it to that bill.

[00:06:03]>> On Cuba, is the goal still creating regime change through economic collapse or is the military option >> the goal is to have a Cuba where the people of Cuba can experience prosperity, safety, security, and a better life moving forward. The way, you know, Cubans are able to do all over the world when they leave Cuba. And um you know, we're prepared to be, you know, very realistic about how you do that and and patient about how, you know, you get in a serious process that leads to that. And we've engaged them from time to time in that regard and they know where we stand on that issue and hopefully that's where it arrives.

[00:06:34]The fundamental Cuba The fundamental problem Cuba has right now is two things. Number one is their economic system doesn't work because it that economic system doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. It's completely backwards. It just doesn't work and that's why people have to leave that country. And number two, it's they're no longer getting free oil from Venezuela.

[00:06:50]That's their biggest problem. They're not getting free oil from Venezuela, which by the way they weren't using for their power grid. They were taking about 60% of the free oil they were getting from Venezuela and reselling it for cash. So, the biggest problem Cuba has is that their regime is a disaster. Their economic model doesn't work and the people who run the country don't know what the hell they're doing.

[00:07:10]Uh all they're most interested in is holding on to power. They are afraid of economic prosperity because they are afraid that economic prosperity and economic liberties will they will lose control over people.

[00:07:21]And that's always been the struggle they faced in recent times. But again, look, we've been just today we began shipping over a hundred million dollars of humanitarian assistance to Cuba. Uh which will be distributed by non-governmental entities on the ground.

[00:07:33]So, um you know, we're we're willing to engage with them. We've engaged with them in the past. We'll keep talking to them about the kind of changes they can make. But this is 90 miles from our shores. This is a a government that has spent in the a regime that has spent the better part of 30, 40, 50 years destabilizing the region and in the movements that they've supported. And, they've lost, I don't know, 10 to 15% of their population since 2021 because of how mismanaged the country is. We wanted to have a better future and we're prepared to do things that help them get there. But, they have to decide they want to do that. The people that are in charge of it right now just don't want to do it. It's unfortunate.

[00:08:06]It's very sad.

[00:08:07]>> Mr. Secretary, you were talking about how they expected the just to follow up to see regime change or to see big changes in Cuba, economic, political by the end of this year. That's what a lot of them were saying.

[00:08:17]>> Who's the lot of them? Who was saying that?

[00:08:18]>> Um people within the administration who work on this issue. Um >> Like who? Cuz I work on this issue more than anybody else. I never said >> it, but like there was an expectation that Cuba was so close >> No, look guys, I mean, you look this this global affairs are not like we're not a mini series like you get in three episodes and it's over. I mean, global affairs are difficult. You're talking about a system that's been in place, you know, since 1959. You're talking about a country that's suffered tremendously because of poor leadership and a bad economic model. You're talking about a regime that survived all these years because they had a foreign sponsor, be it the Soviet Union or Hugo Chavez. They don't have that anymore. So, um you know, it's it's these are complex things that take time and obviously we're prepared to do what we can do to effectuate a positive change in Cuba because it directly impacts our national security. Cuba matters to us because it's 90 miles from our shores and it has a direct impact on our national security. Be it the things they've been involved in in the past, the countries they've aligned with in the past and currently, or the threat of mass migration, which is always a a risk that you run when countries are as deeply destabilized as Cuba is. It's a failed state. It's a failed state, but uh I've never laid out any timeline as to what change would look like or when it would happen. I I wish it was tomorrow because they deserve it. The people of Cuba deserve a better future.

[00:09:29]>> Mr. Secretary, on your argument that Iran has violated the MLU, isn't the MLU inherently flawed because in paragraph five it explicitly acknowledges Iran has power in the Strait of Hormuz, where there's no other formal agreement before had acknowledged or recognized.

[00:09:42]>> No, I don't think that's what the MOU says, so that's not the way we interpreted it from the very beginning.

[00:09:46]We understood that to mean No, we understood that to mean that they would ensure that no ships were being blown up, and they chose to violate that. Uh the MOU does not give them the right to launch drones and missiles against commercial shipping vessels. That the MOU doesn't give them the right to do that. And uh and they chose to do it.

[00:10:02]>> over the strait to begin with in the MOU?

[00:10:04]>> Well, we don't acknowledge their power.

[00:10:05]Well, the only thing I tell you that No, they they have missiles and drones, and they're launching them against ships.

[00:10:10]The MOU doesn't say you're allowed to launch missiles and drones against commercial shipping in the in the Strait of Hormuz. Doesn't say that anywhere in the MOU.

[00:10:18]>> You said that you mentioned, Secretary, that China has been cooperating in some ways uh with the issue of Iran. What what were you um >> Well, I'm not going to tell you about all of them, but I'm going to tell you one in particular, and that is they've been pretty clear that they don't support any tolling or restrictions on global shipping through international waterway. And a statement like that from a country like China is important.

[00:10:38]>> How concerning is the Houthi threat uh for the additional um uh shipments of energy for the Saudis?

[00:10:46]Uh are you worried that that could have a >> Well, the Houthis have done that in the past, as you know. They've threatened global shipping there in the past, and you know, again, anything that restricts shipping through the Red Sea would be problematic for the same reasons that the Strait of Hormuz is problematic. So, we're watching that closely, that situation. We've been engaged with the Saudis on a number of times over the last week in regards to that threat.

[00:11:05]It's not a new threat, um but it but it uh it's one that's manifested itself in the past. But at the gist of that issue is the fact that the again, Iran is in the middle of it. Talk about the troublemaker in the region, it's Iran.

[00:11:19]They chose They decided to send direct flights from Tehran into Yemen carrying IRGC elements and others into the country.

[00:11:29]Um and the Saudis responded to it, and that's what's led to the situation we're now facing. Um but we hope it can be de-escalated. Um you know, obviously we're not particularly close to the Houthis, you know, in terms of being able to influence the decisions they make. But I think it's just another example. The Houthis, Hezbollah, the militias in Iraq, Hamas, this is what Iran spends its money on. It's not on its people. It's on supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing actors in the region.

[00:11:56]>> You mentioned a couple of times that other countries should join the US to protect shipping in the strait.

[00:12:01]>> Yeah, to protect shipping.

[00:12:03]>> Yeah.

[00:12:04]>> Yeah, we've had conversations. There are countries that have expressed interest.

[00:12:06]Again, some of them have different ways they have to get there in terms of how it's authorized. Some need an international flag, you know, they need to do it under the mandate of an international organization. Some need to go through the legislative process. But the reason why I mentioned it to you is because if you look at where that oil and you look at where that energy is destined, it's not to the United States. It's to other countries. And so um plus I think every country in the world has an interest in protecting the right of shipping in international waters and freedom of navigation.

[00:12:34]>> details on the Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, but just what's broadly for people who have non-proliferation concerns, for people who listen to US rhetoric about how dangerous it would be for another country to get a nuclear weapon.

[00:12:47]Uh doesn't having a less than gold standard agreement in the Middle East run a risk >> Well, I'm not going to opine directly on that agreement. We're going to put out at the even when the moment is appropriate, we'll put out that in writing. We have to do it with Congress anyways. So, we'll certainly do it publicly. But suffice it to say the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation.

[00:13:10]>> Did you discuss non-proliferation in the meeting with the Chinese, or will you be bringing that up with uh Mr. Lavrov tomorrow?

[00:13:16]>> On nuclear?

[00:13:17]>> Yeah, just >> Well, we didn't talk about it this time.

[00:13:19]We've talked about it in the past, and I think the president's point, and he's right, is in in the modern era, if If going to have a nuclear arms restriction talks and the arms control talks, it has to include the Chinese side because they're rapidly building their own nuclear capabilities. I would imagine the Chinese will argue that once they catch up to the US and Russia, then they'll enter these negotiations, but until then, I think that's been their historic argument in the past, but I think the president rightly points out that in the 21st century, if we're going to have true arms control, it has to be triparty. It has to be the US, Russia, but also China. But we didn't discuss it today.

[00:13:52]>> Are you satisfied with what China's China's been doing on that the fentanyl issue? It was the basis for a lot of tariffs that appear to be they keep it destructive.

[00:13:59]>> Well, we continue to talk to them about that issue and and obviously I think we've made some progress. They've some of the commitments that they made in earlier this year, they've begun to live by. Others are remain a work in progress and I know that as recently as today, our law enforcement is visiting China and we've had their law enforcement come to Washington earlier in the year. So we remain engaged with them and ultimately we think in the long term this poses a threat to China as well. So I would hope that