U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington may consider preemptive military strikes against Iran if necessary, stressing that Tehran poses a growing threat to U.S. forces in the Middle East.

Axar.az reports that speaking at a Senate hearing, Rubio said the Trump administration’s military buildup in the region is meant to protect more than 30,000 U.S. troops and allied facilities.

Rubio described Iran as being at its weakest point in decades, while warning that it still possesses thousands of long-range ballistic missiles. His remarks come as U.S. allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, brace for possible U.S. action amid Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran that continued repression and refusal to negotiate could lead to more severe military strikes, escalating tensions further. Iran, meanwhile, has warned it would respond forcefully to any attack, while also signaling openness to dialogue.