Marco Rubio said US attack weakened Iran's "conventional shield that they were going to hide behind"

President Trump said the United States has halted planned military action against Iran and agreed to talks after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries requested negotiations, with an emerging deal that would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat. The announcement followed weeks of bombardment since June, Iranian strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on Fox News, claimed the sustained U.S. offensive had weakened Iran’s ability to protect itself with its armed forces, making it more willing to reach agreements on nuclear issues and the strait. He spoke as the administration faced domestic questions about war costs and Gulf allies’ economic pain.