Rubio Faces Congress Amid Iran War and Cuba Tensions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to testify before Congress on Tuesday for the first time since the Iran war began, facing intense scrutiny over the Trump administration's fragile diplomatic efforts. The hearings, held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a House Appropriations subcommittee, are expected to focus on the unsteady ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, which has been further strained by recent back-and-forth attacks.

Rubio, a former Republican senator, will defend President Donald Trump's decision to launch the conflict despite previous promises to avoid "forever wars" in the Middle East. The war, which began on Feb.

28, has already cost an estimated $1.8 billion, with a growing faction of Republicans joining Democrats in questioning the economic consequences as midterm elections approach. The conflict has disrupted tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas supplies, spiking gas prices.

Last month, the Senate advanced legislation that would force Trump to withdraw from the conflict, with GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana—who recently lost a primary election after Trump endorsed his opponent—supporting the measure.

The House also scheduled a vote on a war powers resolution, but GOP leadership blocked it to avoid a defeat. Rubio will also face questions about escalating tensions with Cuba, as Trump has hinted at potential military action against the island nation.

The administration recently announced criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, which Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned as a political stunt. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has long argued that Cuba poses a national security threat due to its ties to U.S.

adversaries. The hearings come as Trump reconsiders plans for his $1.8 billion fund, originally intended to support the war effort, amid growing bipartisan opposition.