Fact Check: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. had no advance warning of the Israeli attack.

Fact Check: "Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. had no advance warning of the Israeli attack."

What We Know

On June 13, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a statement regarding Israel's military actions against Iran, describing them as "unilateral" and asserting that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes. He emphasized that the U.S. was focused on protecting American forces in the region and stated, "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense" (source-1). This statement indicates that the U.S. did not have prior knowledge of the attack, as Rubio framed it as an action taken independently by Israel.

Furthermore, reports from various news outlets corroborate Rubio's assertion that the U.S. was not involved in the Israeli strikes. For instance, a report from NPR noted that while the U.S. was aiding in intercepting Iranian retaliatory strikes, it was not involved in the initial Israeli attacks (source-3). Additionally, the BBC reported Rubio's comments, reinforcing the notion that the U.S. was not part of the military action taken by Israel against Iran (source-4).

Analysis

The evidence presented in Rubio's statement and corroborating news reports strongly supports the claim that the U.S. did not have advance warning of Israel's attack on Iran. Rubio's characterization of the Israeli action as "unilateral" suggests that it was not a coordinated effort with U.S. forces, which aligns with the lack of prior notification to the U.S. government.

The sources used in this analysis are credible and come from established news organizations and official government statements. The White House statement (source-1) is an official document, which adds weight to the claim. NPR (source-3) and the BBC (source-4) are reputable news outlets known for their journalistic integrity, further supporting the reliability of the information presented.

There is no evidence from the sources reviewed that contradicts Rubio's statement. While some reports suggest that Israel may have informed the U.S. of their actions post-factum, this does not equate to prior warning or involvement in the planning of the strikes.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. had no advance warning of the Israeli attack is accurate. Rubio's official statement clearly indicates that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes and emphasizes that Israel acted independently, which aligns with the information provided by reputable news sources.

Sources

1. Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio
2. Rubio calls Israeli strikes against Iran 'unilateral,' says US not involved
3. U.S. aids Israel in intercepting Iran's retaliatory strikes
4. US says it was not involved in Israel's military strikes in Iran
5. Rubio calls Israeli strikes against Iran 'unilateral,' says US not involved
6. Trump scrambles to claim credit for Israel's Iran attack
7. As Israel strikes Iran, US pointedly steps back to protect its forces
8. Trump tears into Iran as he 'supports' Israel