Rubio: US Can Achieve Iran Military Goals Without Ground Troops

Published: March 28, 2026

On March 27, 2026, at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro (right) greeted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Image: Brendan Smialowski / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

According to the Associated Press, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday, March 27 while attending the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France that the United States can achieve its established military objectives in Iran without deploying ground troops. Although several thousand U.S. troops, including the 82nd Airborne Division, are heading to the Middle East, Rubio emphasized that the move is intended to give President Trump the widest range of options to respond to any sudden developments in the conflict.

Rubio pointed out that most of the U.S.’s strategic objectives in Iran have been “achieved in advance,” and current military progress is proceeding smoothly. He made it clear that the U.S. does not plan to launch a ground invasion, but the military must prepare for “multiple contingency scenarios” to ensure President Trump has sufficient flexibility to adjust if necessary. At present, at least 1,000 elite soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have been dispatched to the region on standby missions.

Regarding Iran’s plan to impose transit fees on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio expressed strong condemnation. He described the attempt as “not only illegal but unacceptable” and warned that it would cause significant damage to the global economy. Rubio revealed that the U.S. is seeking to work with international partners to develop a global cooperative plan aimed at ensuring the Strait remains open in the long term after hostile actions end.

US President Donald Trump (C-R) watches as members of the 82nd Airborne Division march past during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. (Image: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

On military resource allocation, Rubio confirmed that as Washington shifts its focus to the Iran conflict, the Patriot missile defense systems previously deployed in Europe have been transferred to the Middle East. In response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s concerns about air defense shortages, Rubio said that while aid to Ukraine has not yet been fully redirected, it “could happen.” He emphasized that the Trump administration will always follow the “America First” principle regarding weapons supply and stock replenishment.

Rubio concluded by stating that maintaining the freedom of trade through key global waterways is a shared responsibility of all nations, and the United States will continue to work with the international community to address Iran’s challenges to the international order.