US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is considering resigning from President Donald Trump’s administration to prepare for a potential 2028 presidential campaign following the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections.

Axar.az reports, citing The Independent, that senior Republican and UK government sources believe Rubio may leave his post to distance himself from the administration, particularly its handling of the war in Iran. He is seen as a potential Republican presidential nominee, with Vice President JD Vance considered his main rival.

One Republican source told the newspaper that Rubio was ahead of Vance but could damage his presidential prospects by remaining in the administration. A Washington insider also said Rubio needed to distance himself from the Iran war and leave responsibility for it to Trump.

However, sources close to the administration said Rubio had shown no clear signs of intending to resign, and his position could depend on the political atmosphere inside the White House.

Rubio has previously said he had no plans at the time to run for president and was fully focused on his government responsibilities. He has also indicated he would step aside if Vance decided to seek the Republican nomination.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle rejected The Independent’s reporting as baseless and false.

"The president has assembled a united team focused on his America First agenda, and they will continue winning for the American people no matter how much it upsets the glue-sniffing hacks at The Independent,” he added.