Rubio says Washington will honor defense commitments to Saudi Arabia, says Trump has not decided on striking Iran
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the conclusion of the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Atlanta that Washington will continue to fulfill its defense commitments to Saudi Arabia, and said that President Donald Trump has not yet decided on military action against Iran and prefers a diplomatic solution.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday evening, October 31, 2026, that the United States will continue to fulfill its defense commitments to Saudi Arabia, noting that Washington is in regular and ongoing contact with its partners in the kingdom. He added that President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision about resuming military action against Iran.
Rubio’s remarks came during a press conference in Atlanta at the close of the Group of Twenty foreign ministers meeting, which the United States hosted as chair this year.
Defense agreement and understandings with Riyadh
Responding to a question about what guarantees Washington can give Saudi Arabia and Gulf states against any possible Iranian response, Rubio said that protection is already in place. He explained that U.S. forces shoot down almost daily Iranian drones and missiles targeting ships, and that the United States has a broad presence in regional air defense systems alongside the capabilities of regional allies.
He added that his country is bound to Saudi Arabia by a defense cooperation agreement and by defense understandings, and that it intends to continue honoring those commitments. He stressed that the Houthis would not have the capabilities they possess today without the direct support they receive from Iran.
Rubio warned that Tehran is signaling that if it does not get what it wants it will not only target ships but could destroy energy facilities belonging to its neighbors across the region.
Trump has not decided on the strike
On the Iran file, Rubio said the United States remains the most capable military power in the world and can achieve its military objectives if it chooses, but he added that the president has not yet made a decision and there is no announcement in this regard. He said Trump prefers to resolve the crisis by diplomatic and peaceful means when possible.
He said he did not know whether there is a specific time limit for the talks being led by Qatar to settle the dispute between Washington and Tehran, stressing that his country is open to any diplomatic solution provided it does not jeopardize U.S. national security and addresses Washington’s core concerns. He emphasized that the United States will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and that the president does not view dialogue or meeting with any party as a concession.
Security of sea lanes
During the closing session of the foreign ministers’ meeting, Rubio had said that vital trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb, must remain safe and open to commerce, and that supply chains for critical metals should be strengthened.
The U.S. secretary’s remarks come as drone attacks on Saudi territory continue. Saudi Arabia announced this morning that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Riyadh area with no injuries reported, coinciding with intensive Qatari mediation to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
