"Repeating the same nonsense": Iran's foreign minister attacks Marco Rubio

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attacked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after Rubio said economic pressure would bring Tehran to its knees. Araghchi called his remarks 'nonsense' and compared them to statements by Mike Pompeo.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday attacked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after Rubio said economic pressure would bring Tehran to its knees. In a post on his X account, Araghchi called Rubio's remarks 'nonsense' and compared them to those of his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, whom he called a 'cartoon character'. Araghchi also alluded to Rubio's Cuban heritage, claiming that his people in Cuba are victims of the same American policy. Rubio made the comments at a press conference in Paris following a meeting of G7 foreign ministers, emphasizing that the economic siege on Iran is so devastating that no major military operation is needed, but made clear that if the regime crosses red lines, the US military is ready to act. The article quotes Rubio as saying that 'economic reality eventually penetrates even the skull of the most extreme madman'.