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Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, has articulated that President Donald Trump's strategy towards Iran is akin to a "head for an eye," cautioning that Tehran will incur a "significant cost" if it persists with its aggressive actions. This statement was made during a press conference following the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in the Philippines on Thursday, where Rubio reacted to comments made by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who referenced the concept of "an eye for an eye." Rubio remarked, "I noted Araghchi's comments about their policies, 'an eye for an eye.' The president's stance is a head for an eye. Honestly, that's the reality. They will face a very heavy price," he emphasized.

Rubio further asserted that Iran's military strength has been drastically diminished, stating, "They will continue to pay a very heavy price. Their industrial capabilities have been devastated. They are losing launchers and radars every single night." The phrase "an eye for an eye" has historical roots in various ancient legal systems, notably in the Book of Leviticus from the Old Testament. In contrast, the New Testament features Jesus rejecting this principle during the Sermon on the Mount, advising, "Do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."

Rubio's comments followed the breakdown of a tentative peace agreement with Iran last month, which has heightened regional tensions. On Wednesday, President Trump issued a warning via Truth Social, stating that the US would target Iranian infrastructure if there were further assaults on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He declared, "From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran attacks a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether by missile, rocket, drone, or any other means, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those near or within the Capital City of Tehran." This warning came after two Saudi oil tankers were attacked in the Bab al-Mandab Strait on Wednesday, with US officials attributing the assaults to Yemen's Iran-supported Houthi movement. In response to these incidents, Trump stated, "The U.S. will hold Iran accountable, as the Houthis act as a surrogate and/or proxy of Iran, and significant military repercussions will be imposed on both Iran and the Houthis themselves."