US operation in Iran expected to conclude in ‘weeks, not months’: Rubio

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that US military operations against Iran were expected to conclude “in a matter of weeks, not months” and that Washington can achieve its objectives “without any ground troops”. “We are ahead of schedule in that operation and expect to finish it at the appropriate time, in a matter of weeks, not months. Progress is going very well,” Rubio told reporters before departing France, where he attended the G7 foreign ministers meeting. He added that Washington was close to achieving its objectives and “finishing that job”. “This is not going to be a prolonged conflict,” he said in response to a question, claiming the US was ahead of schedule on most objectives, including degrading Iran’s missile, drone and military capabilities. Read More: Iran FM warns Israel of 'heavy price' after attacks on steel factories, power plant, nuclear sites “We are achieving all those objectives. We are ahead of schedule on most of them, and we can achieve them without any ground troops,” he said. Rubio also warned that one immediate challenge after the operation could be Iran attempting to set up a “tolling system” in the Strait of Hormuz, calling such a move “illegal, unacceptable and dangerous for the world”. “It's dangerous for the world, and it's important that the world have a plan to confront it,” he added. The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since February 28, killing more than 1,900 people. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation. At least 13 US service members have been killed since the war began, and the conflict has driven up energy prices and affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz