The United States expects its military operation against Iran to conclude within weeks rather than months, with no need for ground troops, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced following meetings with G7 foreign ministers in France on Friday.
Speaking to reporters after the diplomatic gathering in Cernay-la-Ville, Rubio indicated that Washington remains on schedule with its military objectives nearly a month after the conflict began on February 28 with coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes.
As the Department of War has consistently outlined, we are on or ahead of schedule in that operation, and expect it concluded at the appropriate time here in a matter of weeks, not months. And the progress is going very well
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State — Yonhap News
According to diplomatic sources, Rubio privately told his G7 counterparts that the conflict would continue for another two to four weeks. The timeline comes as the Trump administration seeks to avoid a prolonged military engagement while achieving its stated objectives of dismantling Iran's missile capabilities and naval forces.
Despite the optimistic timeline, the conflict continues to escalate across the Middle East. A US official confirmed that an Iranian missile and drone strike on the Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia wounded 12 American personnel, including two seriously, and damaged military equipment.
France 24 presents a straightforward account of Rubio's statements about the timeline and scope of US operations. The outlet focuses on the diplomatic context of the G7 meetings without editorial commentary.
The Times of India emphasizes the economic implications of the conflict, particularly energy market disruptions. The coverage highlights India's concerns about global oil supply chains and regional stability.