Rubio’s Stance on Iran’s Nuclear Aspirations and Venezuelan Gang Ties
During his recent appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in a pointed discussion with host Margaret Brennan about the delicate issue of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Brennan sought clarity from Rubio regarding U.S. policy, particularly the implications surrounding Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities. “Is the bottom line that Iran cannot enrich any uranium, even if it is at low levels for civilian purposes? Do they need to fully dismantle the program?” she probed.
Rubio’s response was unequivocal: “If you are able to enrich at any level, you now are basically able to enrich at weapons-grade very quickly.” The secretary underscored a clear objective: “The end goal here is simple. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The President’s preference is to achieve that through peaceful negotiation, as he does not favor military conflict.”
Rubio expressed hope that Iran would pursue diplomatic routes, yet his message remained resolute: “Iran is never gonna have the capability; they are never gonna have a nuclear weapon. It’s not going to happen.”
Watch:
Asked whether the U.S. “bottom line” is that “Iran cannot enrich any uranium, even if it is at low levels for civilian purposes,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells @margbrennan, “If you’re able to enrich at any level, you now are basically able to enrich at weapons-grade very… pic.twitter.com/ktTtHgqL1N
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 18, 2025
Debate on Venezuelan Gang’s Allegiance
The conversation then shifted to the Tren de Aragua gang and its alleged connections to the Venezuelan Maduro regime. When Brennan asked Rubio if he accepted the intelligence community’s conclusion that this gang is not a proxy for the government, Rubio’s disagreement was immediate and emphatic: “They are wrong.”
Highlighting the gang’s menacing reputation, Rubio stated, “One of the warnings out there by the FBI is not simply that Tren de Aragua is a terrorist organization, but one that has already been operationalized to murder an opposition member in another country.” Brennan attempted to clarify the gang’s relationship with the Maduro regime, but Rubio remained steadfast in his position. He insisted on the dangers posed by Tren de Aragua, stating, “I agree 100 percent with the FBI’s findings. This is a prison gang that the Venezuelan government has actively encouraged to leave the country.”
He further detailed that members of Tren de Aragua returning to Venezuela have been celebrated upon arrival, suggesting a troubling endorsement by the Maduro government. “Tren de Aragua members that have been returned to Venezuela on some of these planes that have gone back have been greeted like heroes at the airport,” Rubio remarked.
Watch:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he disagrees with a recent National Intelligence Council assessment which contradicts President Trump’s assertions that the gang Tren de Aragua is operating under the direction of the Venezuelan regime, telling @margbrennan, “They’re wrong.”… pic.twitter.com/fH8XokG1GP
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 18, 2025
