Soleimani, who led the Quds Force faction of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in a US drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump during his first term while he was in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in January 2020.

US arrests family members of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani

Reiterating the Trump administration's stance that Europe must take responsibility for defending itself against regional threats rather than relying heavily on America, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We do not want our allies to be weak, because that makes us weaker.”

‘US and Europe belong together, but allies should defend themselves,’ says Rubio at Munich Security Conference

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared that Venezuela’s current interim leaders had asked the US for the oil cargo seized on those two ships to be “part of this deal”. 

‘US will take all the oil stuck in Venezuela and sell it in market, at market rates’: Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio lso tried to validate the US military action in Venezuela on Saturday by saying that the most important thing for the Trump administration is the “safety, security, well-being, and prosperity of the United States.”

‘Cuban government is a huge problem,’ says Marco Rubio, hints it may be next target

Earlier on Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel.

‘Historic time’: Rubio to meet Netanyahu in Israel this week, marking third visit by a senior US official

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli PM Netanyahu, pledging unwavering support for Israel's Gaza plans amid global criticism. The visit follows Israel's attack on Qatar. Rubio echoed Israel’s stance on Hamas and criticized recognition of a Palestinian state as symbolic

'US supports Israel': Rubio, Netanyahu send 'clear message' amid Qatar strike, Gaza plan

Qatar’s prime minister accused Israel of “state terrorism” and said its attack in Doha last week targeting Hamas’s leaders was an “attack on the principle of mediation”  itself, but nevertheless vowed to continue efforts to reach a ceasefire.

‘Israeli-US alliance as strong, durable as stones of the Western Wall’: Netanyahu

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Israel as Netanyahu weighs West Bank annexation, following UN support for Palestinian statehood. The UAE warns annexation could jeopardise peace accords and Trump’s diplomatic legacy.

Rubio in Israel: Will Trump back Netanyahu if Israel annexes parts of the West Bank?

Rubio further urged Iranian leaders to take necessary measures to ensure their nation never obtains a nuclear weapon for the peace and prosperity of the Iranian people.

‘Direct response to Iran’s defiance’: Rubio backs Europeans to restore UN sanctions on Tehran, says US open for talks

Marco Rubio said the US has been calling for a ceasefire in ongoing conflicts, which is difficult to negotiate while hostilities are ongoing, and then added that after a ceasefire is achieved, maintaining it is often challenging, especially after long conflicts.

US keeps an eye on India-Pakistan situation ‘every single day’: Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said peace in Ukraine requires compromises from both sides, warned of consequences for Russia if talks fail, and admitted peace may be unreachable despite ongoing US efforts.

US to step back if Ukraine-Russia talks fail? Rubio warns both sides must compromise for peace deal

The US designated the Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade faction as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation due to continued attacks, including bombings and a deadly train hijacking in 2025.

'Commitment to countering terrorism': US designates Balochistan Liberation Army, alias Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organisation

The US State Department has launched an investigation into Harvard's eligibility to sponsor international students under the Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) Program. Secretary of State Rubio cited concerns over Harvard’s compliance with federal regulations and issues related to antisemitism.

'Yet another retaliatory step': Is Harvard risking its right to host foreign students? US State Department opens fresh investigation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is concerned about the current situation in Damascus after Israeli military struck the Syrian capital on Wednesday morning.

Israel strikes Syria: Rubio says US 'very concerned' after IDF bombs Damascus

Marco Rubio defends global tariff reset, calls it ‘long overdue’

Notices for reduction, which would not only lay off employees but eliminate positions altogether, should be a last resort, said association President Tom Yazdgerdi. “Disrupting the Foreign Service like this puts national interests at risk—and Americans everywhere will bear the consequences.”

US State Department firing over 1,300 staffers under Trump admin’s restructuring plan

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Top 10 world news: Gaza ceasefire ‘closer’; US frustrated over lack of progress on Ukraine, and more

This comes as talks between Israel and Hamas enter their fifth day in Qatar. The current negotiations, which began on Sunday (Jul 6), are taking place after 21 months of fighting and failed attempts to reach a breakthrough in the previous rounds of talks.

‘Terms have been agreed to, but...’: Rubio says Gaza ceasefire ‘closer’ than before

Rubio made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN gathering in Malaysia. Rubio added that Lavrov shared a “new idea” on Ukraine during their meeting. “It’s not a new approach.

‘Echoed what Trump said’: US ‘frustrated’ over lack of progress on Ukraine, Rubio says after ‘frank talks’ with Lavrov

World: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is set to participate in US-Ukraine talks on Tuesday, said that the meeting is important to understand Ukraine’s commitment to peace.

From US aid to mineral deal: Much at stake as Zelensky, Rubio arrive in Saudi for crucial US-Ukraine talks

World: This decision shows the swift dismantling of the US' independent humanitarian agency, which had been on the hit list of both President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

‘Thank you to DOGE’: Trump’s State Secy Rubio slashes 83% of USAID programmes, Musk says ‘tough but necessary’

World: Rubio defended Trump’s diplomatic approach, which he described as a break from years of hostile rhetoric towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.

‘If he were a Democrat’: Marco Rubio says Trump would have won ‘Nobel Prize’ for Ukraine peace efforts

World: At the start of their joint press briefing, Netanyahu praised former US President Donald Trump, calling him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

‘There can never be nuclear Iran’: Netanyahu, Rubio discuss Hamas, Trump’s Gaza plan, and Tehran’s ‘aggression’

World: El Salvador will continue accepting deported Salvadorans who entered the US illegally. Additionally, it will “accept for deportation any illegal alien in the United States."

El Salvador's ‘mega-prison’ to take in America’s worst criminals, illegal immigrants but 'for a price'