Rubio Declares ‘Old World Is Gone’ Following Iran Strikes
Marco Rubio told reporters Saturday that the world he once knew has fundamentally changed, urging U.S. allies to recognize the shifting geopolitical landscape and work with United States to shape a new direction for the West.
“The world is changing very fast right in front of us,” Rubio said, emphasizing that a new era of geopolitics is emerging and will require nations to reassess their roles and partnerships. He noted that ongoing private discussions with allies are continuing as leaders navigate these changes.
Meanwhile, Karoline Leavitt said Rubio notified senior congressional leaders before joint U.S.–Israel military strikes targeting Iran. Her statement, posted on X, came amid questions about whether Donald Trump had authorized the strikes without congressional approval.
Leavitt said Trump monitored the situation overnight from Mar-a-Lago with his national security team and also spoke by phone with Benjamin Netanyahu. According to her statement, Rubio contacted members of the “Gang of Eight” before the operation, briefing seven of the eight leaders.
The Gang of Eight includes congressional leadership from both parties as well as chairs and ranking members of intelligence committees. Mike Johnson later confirmed that the group had received a briefing.
Under the National Security Act of 1947, Congress must be kept informed of significant intelligence activities. Historically, administrations have interpreted this requirement as notifying the Gang of Eight rather than briefing full congressional committees.
The developments came after criticism from Thomas Massie, who described the strikes as unauthorized acts of war. Massie, along with Ro Khanna, had planned to push for a vote aimed at limiting presidential authority to strike Iran without congressional approval.
In a related move, Rubio also announced that Iran has been designated a state sponsor of wrongful detention, citing a history of detaining Americans for political leverage dating back to the Iran Hostage Crisis under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Rubio noted that Trump signed an executive order last fall to protect Americans abroad, while Congress passed the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025.
“The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran,” Rubio said, adding that such actions could lead to reconsideration of the designation and related measures.