Israel launches new strikes on Iran as Rubio says war could end 'in a matter of weeks'

[0:00] Secretary of State Marco Rubio said today that the United States could achieve its goals in Iran [0:05] without ground troops. That despite the deployment of thousands of Marines to the Persian Gulf [0:10] and reports that many more U.S. personnel could be on the way soon. [0:15] A senior regional diplomatic source tells the NewsHour there's no agreement between [0:19] the United States and Iran on direct talks or even a venue for them. The proposals from both [0:25] sides have been maximalist, which leaves the region, the world one month into this war [0:31] and an apparent impasse. Ali Rogin reports. [0:34] ALI ROGIN Today in Tehran, a scene of horror. [0:41] Rescue workers dig through the rubble, looking for the living and the dead. A lifeless body [0:48] hanging from the destruction as onlookers pray to end the suffering and comfort a community in grief. [0:54] ALI ROGIN After Israel overnight launched a new wave of strikes across Iran, [1:00] the head of [1:01] the Iranian Red Crescent Society today condemned the attacks. [1:04] ALI ROGIN Claims that only military areas are targeted and not residential areas [1:10] are completely false. They are lying. All the areas being hit now are residential. [1:15] Around 20,399 commercial units where people work have been damaged and targeted. [1:20] Two hundred ninety medical centers have been targeted. [1:23] ALI ROGIN Israel's military said it targeted sites used for military purposes [1:28] and had warned Iran to stop its missile attacks, [1:30] with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz today promising to escalate the bombing. [1:35] ISRAEL KATZ , Israeli Defense Minister [1:37] Despite the warnings, the firing has continued, and therefore, [1:40] IDF strikes in Iran will escalate and expand to additional targets and areas [1:45] that assist the regime in building and operating weapons used against Israeli civilians. [1:51] ALI ROGIN And today, Israel struck the Hondab [1:54] heavy-water research reactor in Arak in central Iran, claiming Iran was in the process of rebuilding [2:00] the nuclear energy complex, having first struck the site during the 12-day war last June. [2:06] This comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after discussing the war in Iran with his G7 [2:11] counterparts, said the American campaign was nearing its end. [2:15] SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO , U.S. We are on or ahead of schedule in that operation, [2:17] and expect to conclude it at the appropriate time here, in a matter of weeks, not months, [2:23] and the progress is going very well. [2:24] ALI ROGIN And that the United States was on standby to negotiate with Iran. [2:28] AMNA NAWAZ Is it your understanding that they will [2:30] take a step back? AMNA NAWAZ Yes, they will take a step back. [2:30] ALI ROGIN They will convey their response to the 15-point plan today. And are you [2:33] looking for anything in particular? SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO We haven't gotten it yet. [2:35] We haven't gotten it yet. Look, we have got messages. We have had an exchange of messages [2:40] and indications from the Iranian system, whatever is left of it, about a willingness to talk about [2:44] certain things. We're waiting for further clarification about who will we allow, [2:48] who is it that we will be talking to, what will we be talking about, and when will we be talking. [2:54] I don't have any news for you on that yet. [2:56] AMNA NAWAZ Rubio also spoke on the day-after scenario regarding Iran's [3:00] grip on the Strait of Hormuz. [3:01] SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO It's dangerous to the world, [3:03] and it's important that the world have a plan to confront it. [3:05] The United States is prepared to be a part of that plan. [3:08] AMNA NAWAZ French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barreau [3:11] echoing Rubio that the straits' closure was unacceptable to Europe. [3:15] JEAN-NOEL BARREAU Today, we are adopting a new statement on Iran at the level of foreign [3:20] ministers. It reaffirms the absolute necessity of permanently restoring free and safe navigation [3:26] in the Strait of Hormuz. [3:27] AMNA NAWAZ This comes as Iran today turned away [3:30] three oil tankers in the Strait, Iranian state TV reported. [3:34] JEAN-NOEL BARREAU The IRGC Navy announced that the [3:37] Strait of Hormuz is closed, and any transit through the Strait will face a firm response. [3:42] All shipping to and from ports of allies and supporters of the U.S. and Israel is prohibited. [3:48] AMNA NAWAZ The United Nations today as well [3:50] announced a new task force aimed at opening the Strait. [3:53] JEAN-NOEL BARREAU The primary focus of this task force [3:56] is to develop and propose technical mechanisms, [3:59] specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz. [4:03] AMNA NAWAZ Iran later today accepted the U.N.'s request for aid to be let through, [4:07] with Iran's ambassador to the organization writing on X that, quote, [4:11] the Islamic Republic of Iran has decided to facilitate and further expedite [4:16] the safe passage of humanitarian shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. [4:21] But even with aid let through, the war and the profound loss it inflicts continues. [4:29] For the PBS NewsHour, I'm Ali Rogin. [4:32] Support journalism you trust. [4:45] Support PBS News. [4:48] Donate now, or even better, start a monthly contribution today.