Rubio: Israel’s strike plan triggered U.S. attack on Iran

In a briefing Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States attacked Iran after learning that ally Israel planned action against Tehran and out of fear that Iran would retaliate against American forces. “We knew there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties,” Rubio noted. The remarks underscore how quickly regional dynamics could escalate after any perceived Israeli move in the Middle East.

The broader crisis has unsettled regional partners and the global market, with humanitarian and logistical challenges compounding the security situation. Amid continued disruption in the Gulf, IndiGo will operate 10 relief flights from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to India on Tuesday to help repatriate stranded passengers. Air India Express will also resume services to Muscat, Oman, operating six flights from various Indian cities, as authorities strive to ease travel bottlenecks for travelers stranded by the broader conflict.

The diplomatic layer remains active, with Prime Minister Modi initiating talks with Gulf leaders, including Bahrain’s king and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, as regional powers weigh their next steps. The conflict has also touched human lives on the ground, with the Indian embassy in Oman confirming the death of an Indian sailor aboard the oil tanker MKD Vyom, highlighting the broader human costs unfolding as the crisis deepens.

As officials emphasize vigilance and restraint, analysts say the coming days will be critical in determining whether regional tensions can be contained or whether retaliatory moves could widen the conflict beyond the current theaters. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for de-escalation and a path back to dialogue.

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