WASHINGTON, D.C. May 13, 2026 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Iran’s drive for nuclear weapons as a fundamentally irreconcilable conflict between the clerical regime in Tehran and the United States and its allies.
In an exclusive interview aboard Air Force One with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Secretary Rubio stated: “Iran is an example of a bilateral issue that is irreconcilable. Their clerical regime wants a nuclear weapon and the world, led by President Trump, says that can’t happen.”
The Department of State posted the 33-second video clip of the interview on X late Wednesday evening, drawing immediate attention to the administration’s hardline position.
Rubio’s remarks underscore the Trump administration’s continued policy of maximum pressure on Iran, which includes stringent sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and firm demands for verifiable restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program. The Secretary emphasized that every U.S. president has opposed an Iranian nuclear weapon, but the current administration is acting decisively to ensure it never materializes.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, including recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
The full interview is expected to air on Hannity’s program in the coming days.
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