Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday night that Israel launched unilateral strikes against Iran, emphasizing that the United States was not involved in the military action.

The statement comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with Washington scrambling to protect American forces while avoiding direct confrontation.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a White House statement released June 12, 2025.

The secretary emphasized that Israeli officials had informed the U.S. of their plans beforehand. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” he stated.

Still, the administration moved quickly to safeguard American personnel across the region. Rubio confirmed that “President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.”

The statement concluded with a stark warning to Tehran. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Rubio said.

That said, the careful wording underscores Washington’s delicate balancing act—supporting a key ally while avoiding entanglement in another Middle Eastern conflict.