Rubio says US expects to finish Iran war 'in next couple of weeks'

March 27, 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that American military operations in Iran are expected to conclude within the coming weeks, stating that objectives are being met ahead of the originally projected four-to-seven week timeline. The conflict, which began on February 28 when the US and Israel initiated warfare against Iran, has resulted in the deaths of multiple Iranian leaders and prompted the US to propose a 15-point peace plan through Pakistani intermediaries. Iran has retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial waterway for global energy supplies—and threatening to charge vessels passage fees, causing oil prices to surge and raising global economic concerns.

Who is affected

Iranian civilians and top government leaders (several killed)
US military personnel being deployed to the region
G7 countries (major Western economies including UK, France, Japan, and others)
Gulf countries allied with the US (experiencing drone and missile attacks)
NATO alliance members (facing pressure from Trump to send ships)
Global shipping vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz
Oil and gas importing countries worldwide (facing skyrocketing prices)
Residents in areas where Iran has attacked airports and residential apartments
US embassy personnel in the region
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)
Israeli facilities and infrastructure

What action is being taken

The US is conducting military operations in Iran
The US is sending troops to the area
Iran is closing/blocking the Strait of Hormuz
IRGC is reportedly charging some vessels fees for passage through the strait
Iranian MPs are drafting a bill regarding passage fees
Iran is attacking civilian targets, airports, residential apartments, US embassies, and energy sites in Gulf countries
Israel is carrying out attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and steel plants
The UK is leading work to build a coalition to ensure the strait remains free
Messages are being exchanged between the US and Iranian representatives

Why it matters

The conflict has enormous global economic implications because approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Its closure has caused oil prices to skyrocket and threatens severe economic contractions in many countries if the blockage continues. The war also represents a major escalation in Middle East tensions, with attacks on civilian infrastructure violating international norms and threatening regional stability. The situation has created divisions between the US and its NATO allies, who have refused Trump's call to send ships to escort vessels, instead advocating for ending the conflict as the solution. The deliberate targeting of civilians, diplomatic facilities, and critical energy infrastructure in a region central to global oil and gas production threatens both humanitarian catastrophe and worldwide economic disruption.

What's next

The US expects to finish operations in Iran "in the next couple of weeks"
Special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed hope for meetings "this week"
The US is waiting for Iran's response to the 15-point peace plan proposal
The US is awaiting clarification about who would represent Iran in talks, what would be discussed, and timing
A coalition led by the UK is being built to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for the post-war period
Iran's IRGC has threatened to retaliate by targeting industrial infrastructure connected to the US or Israel
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has threatened to exact a "heavy price" for attacks on nuclear facilities and steel plants

Read full article from source: BBC