Fact Check: "After the Israeli strikes on Iran began on June 8, 2023, Secretary of State Marco Rubio omitted any mention of U.S. support for Israel's operations in his public statement."
What We Know
On June 8, 2023, Israel conducted military strikes against Iran, which were described as "unilateral action" by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his public statement. In this statement, Rubio emphasized that the United States was "not involved in strikes against Iran" and reiterated that the U.S. priority was to protect American forces in the region (White House, Reuters). Rubio also noted that Israel had informed the U.S. that the action was necessary for its self-defense, but he did not explicitly mention any U.S. support for Israel's operations (Washington Post, BBC).
Analysis
Rubio's statement has been scrutinized for its lack of explicit support for Israel's military actions. While he acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense, he framed the strikes as unilateral, distancing the U.S. from direct involvement. This omission is significant, as it contrasts with typical U.S. rhetoric that often emphasizes support for Israeli military actions. Reports indicate that Rubio's statement was consistent with the administration's stance of prioritizing American safety and avoiding entanglement in further military conflicts in the region (Times of Israel, The Hill).
The credibility of the sources reporting on this event is generally high. Major news organizations like Reuters, The Washington Post, and BBC are known for their rigorous journalistic standards. However, the interpretation of Rubio's omission may vary among different outlets. For instance, NBC News highlighted the absence of U.S. support in a manner that suggests a critical view of the administration's position, indicating a potential bias in framing the narrative (NBC News).
Overall, the evidence supports the claim that Rubio did not mention U.S. support for Israel's operations in his public statement, focusing instead on the U.S. position of non-involvement.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's public statement following the Israeli strikes on Iran indeed omitted any mention of U.S. support for Israel's operations. He characterized the strikes as unilateral and emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting its own forces without endorsing the military actions taken by Israel. This aligns with the claim made.
Sources
- Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio - The White House
- Rubio calls Israeli strikes against Iran 'unilateral,' says US ... - Reuters
- Israel strikes Iran, as Trump officials say no U.S. military ... - Washington Post
- US says it was not involved in Israel's military strikes in Iran - BBC
- Rubio: Israel took 'unilateral action against Iran,' US not involved - Times of Israel
- Rubio calls Israeli strikes against Iran 'unilateral action,' urges 'US ... - MSN
- Marco Rubio says US 'not involved' in Israel's strike inside Iran - The Hill
- How Trump went from opposing Israel's strikes on Iran to ... - NBC News
