Rubio faces congressional grilling on Iran war

Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced intense congressional scrutiny this week over the administration’s foreign policy, particularly its handling of the conflict with Iran, during a series of budget hearings. The hearings, before Senate and House committees, were marked by contentious exchanges with Democratic lawmakers who challenged the administration’s diplomatic strategy and the status of the war.

Rubio’s first major confrontation occurred Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Jacky Rosen questioned his absence from high-stakes negotiations with Iran held in Pakistan in April, stating she was shocked by reports he was at a party with President Donald Trump in Miami instead of attending. Rubio forcefully rejected the characterization, calling it absurd and slanderous. He explained he was with the president at a UFC fight in Miami to manage the negotiations remotely, stating he was in constant communication with the U.S. team in Pakistan, led by Vice President JD Vance and including special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner. Rubio said he spoke with the team at least six times that evening, including on a secure line, and repeatedly...