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Rubio said Iran-backed groups were contributing to instability in several countries, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Image: News18 Media Gallery)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday described Iran as being at the “centre of instability throughout the Middle East”, accusing Tehran of supporting militant groups and undermining regional peace and security.
Speaking after the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said Iran-backed groups were contributing to instability in several countries, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Rubio Accuses Iran Of Fueling Middle East Instability | Video
#WATCH | On Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, “Iran is blowing up ships, including ships carrying, for example, Indian sailors, as well as ships transporting energy destined for countries represented at that table. We live in a world in which a country, or rather a regime, is openly saying, “We will blow up commercial ships.” Think about that? Think about the world we now live in. It sounds like something from 100 or 80 years ago. But that’s what’s happening, and every country is affected. As far as the talks are concerned, I don’t know if there’s a time frame. It’s up to the President to make decisions regarding those sorts of things. There are multiple talks. Talks have actually never stopped. There have been active conversations, sometimes directly, but often through intermediaries. The President’s preference in any challenge around the world is to try to resolve it diplomatically and peacefully, if possible. He recognises that there are some issues in the world that, unfortunately and sadly, cannot be resolved peacefully. But we would prefer to resolve them that way…But this is also a country and a regime that is at the centre of instability throughout the Middle East. In Lebanon, there is instability because Iran supports Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia is under attack because Iran supports the Houthis. Iraq is facing challenges because Iranian-backed militias are challenging the state there. So, wherever you turn, what you find is an Iranian proxy undermining the peace and stability of the Middle East. That’s a fundamental threat that we have to confront. On top of the fact that they want nuclear weapons, this is a regime that has massacred its own people. You can only imagine what it would do to others if it possessed weapons of mass destruction, which will never be allowed to happen as long as President Trump is in the White House”(Video Source: Host via TV Reuters)
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2026
“In Lebanon, there is instability because Iran supports Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia is under attack because Iran supports the Houthis. Iraq is facing challenges because Iranian-backed militias are challenging the state there. So, wherever you turn, what you find is an Iranian proxy undermining the peace and stability of the Middle East. That’s a fundamental threat that we have to confront,” Rubio said.
Rubio Says Diplomatic Talks With Iran Are Ongoing
At A Glance
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran is at the centre of instability throughout the Middle East.
Rubio accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping, including vessels carrying Indian sailors and energy supplies.
Rubio clarified that the Quad grouping, comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, is not an anti-China coalition.
Rubio indicated that a Quad Leaders’ Meeting would be held in Manila next month.
He also accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping, including vessels carrying Indian sailors and transporting energy to other countries.
“Iran is blowing up ships, including ships carrying, for example, Indian sailors, as well as ships transporting energy destined for countries represented at that table,” he added.
On the possibility of diplomatic engagement with Tehran, Rubio said talks had continued through direct conversations and intermediaries, adding that US President Donald Trump preferred resolving disputes peacefully where possible.
“Talks have actually never stopped. There have been active conversations, sometimes directly, but often through intermediaries. The President’s preference in any challenge around the world is to try to resolve it diplomatically and peacefully, if possible,” the top US diplomat remarked.
Rubio Clarifies Quad Is Not An Anti-China Grouping
Rubio also highlighted the importance of the Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, saying the grouping had evolved from a platform for discussions into one focused on concrete cooperation. He clarified that the group does not operate as an anti-China grouping or seek to oppose any country.
“The Quad is not against anybody. It’s not a format that exists to oppose any country. To the extent that we express concerns within the Quad, those concerns are about behaviours and activities. Those activities or behaviours are repeatedly coming from one country. That’s going to be obvious to everybody. But it is not an anti-China or anti-anybody coalition. The Quad is a cooperative arrangement between four countries that share common interests and a common opposition to certain behaviours. That’s what we’ll continue to point to,” he further said.
He said the four countries had met several times this year and indicated that a Quad Leaders’ Meeting would be held in Manila next month.
During the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, the four countries discussed areas of cooperation and shared regional concerns.
Quick Answers
Ask News18US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Iran as the centre of instability in the Middle East during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Atlanta. He accused Tehran of supporting militant proxies like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Iraq, which undermine regional peace and target commercial shipping.
Ask News18About the Author
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d…Read More
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
October 31, 2026, 11:14 PM IST
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