Rubio: probability Iran rejects US diplomacy; 'committed to finishing the job' — Iran air force in war aims; contradicts Trump optimism

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on March 30 (ABC Good Morning America) that Washington must be prepared for the 'probability' that Iran will reject American diplomatic efforts to end the war. 'We also have to be prepared for the fact that that effort might fail. We're dealing with a 47-year-old regime that still has a lot of people involved in it who aren't necessarily big fans of diplomacy and peace,' Rubio said. The statement directly contradicts President Trump's optimism about a deal. Rubio also acknowledged there were 'clearly people there talking to us' differently than before, but said the US would test whether Iran could back statements with action. On Trump's regime change framing: 'If there are new people now in charge who have a more reasonable vision of the future, that would be good news — but we also have to be prepared for the possibility, maybe even the probability, that that is not the case.' In the same interview, Rubio listed US war aims as: destroying Iran's navy, destroying its air force, severely diminishing Iran's missile launching capabilities, and destroying Iran's missile and drone production factories. Notably, 'destroying Iran's air force' does not appear in the White House talking points sent to Republican lawmakers earlier this month, which listed destruction of Iran's navy and missile programs plus preventing Iranian nuclear weapons and ending proxy support. Rubio included the air force despite Iran's air force posing minimal operational threat — signalling a broader disarmament objective. The divergence from the White House list adds to the picture of differing US objectives circulating within the administration.