Rubio takes behind-the-scenes role on Iran war while keeping his options open for the future

Center-Right: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/delcy-rodriguez-venezuela-trump-un-general-assembly" rel="noopener nofollow">Scoop: Trump expected to meet with Venezuela&#39;s new leader — www.axios.com
Center-Right: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/trump-axios-interview-iran-war" rel="noopener nofollow">Trump tells Axios he&#39;s approaching major crossroads in Iran war — www.axios.com
Center: <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6096879-senate-democrats-demand-iran-war-costs/" rel="noopener nofollow">Senate Democrats, minus Fetterman, urge Hegseth to provide receipt for Iran war costs — thehill.com
Center-Right: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/16/johnson-massie-feud-boils-over-why-are-we-taking-days-off-our-calendar" rel="noopener nofollow">Johnson-Massie feud boils over: &quot;Why are we taking days off our calendar?&quot; — www.axios.com
Right: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/republicans-immigration-trump-miami-backyard" rel="noopener nofollow">Fear and loathing in Trump&#39;s Miami backyard over immigration crackdown — www.axios.com
Right: <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-71-think-trump-administration-lacks-plan-end-iran-war" rel="noopener nofollow">Fox News Poll: 71% think Trump administration lacks plan to end Iran war — www.foxnews.com
Right: <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/6095013-trump-administration-gas-diesel-truck-drivers-hours/" rel="noopener nofollow">Trump administration allows truck drivers hauling gas, diesel to work longer hours — thehill.com
Right: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/world/middleeast/un-iran-resolution-russia-china-veto.html" rel="noopener nofollow">Russia and China Veto U.S. Bid to Renew U.N. Monitoring of Iran Nuclear Program — www.nytimes.com

Source: www.nbcnews.com · Section: politics · Bias: Left · Published: Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:47:05 GMT

Secretary of State Marco Rubio isn’t the face of the Iran negotiations. He’s kept a discreet public distance as the unpopular war grinds on.