US Secretary of State Rubio contrasts Iran’s ambitions with North Korea

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has drawn a distinction between the approaches of North Korea and Iran, stating that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is not seeking expansion beyond his country and is focused solely on ensuring his regime’s survival. In contrast, Rubio described Iran’s leadership as “expansionist” and “revolutionary,” warning of the consequences if Tehran were to obtain nuclear weapons.

Speaking at a conference of the National Federalist Society of Lawyers in Washington, Rubio said Kim Jong Un is “not interested in invading Japan,” adding: “He just wants his regime to survive. He is not expansionist. He does not intend to invade Japan or China, or anything like that.”

By contrast, Rubio described Iran’s leadership as “expansionist. They are revolutionary,” before asking, “What would happen if these people acquired a nuclear weapon?”

The Secretary of State clarified that he does not excuse what he called the “horrific things” that have occurred in North Korea, but he sees a difference between Kim Jong Un’s objectives and those of Iran’s leadership, whom he described as “radicals” who consider exporting the revolution part of their mission.

He pointed out that the founding documents of the Islamic Republic do not limit the role of Iran’s Supreme Leader to leading Iran alone, but rather consider him a leader for all Muslims, with a duty to spread the revolution beyond the country’s borders.

Rubio warned that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, its leadership would have the ability to “hold the region and the world hostage,” stressing that preventing Tehran from obtaining such weapons “by any means” is the primary goal of the United States and the victory sought by President Donald Trump’s administration.

He linked this threat to the nature and ideology of the Iranian regime, arguing that understanding its revolutionary orientation is essential to grasping its behavior and the dangers of its nuclear capabilities.

Regarding how to achieve the US objective, Rubio said economic pressure has weakened the Iranian regime and caused significant damage, reducing the need for additional military operations at present.

He explained that the US strategy is to deprive Tehran of the funds and equipment needed to develop nuclear weapons, rather than relying on military action at this stage.