Rubio's Athens-focused speech sparks sharp condemnation from Tehran

Marco Rubio addressed an audience at the Acropolis, invoking the Persian destruction of Athens in 480 BC and portraying the United States as the successor of ancient Western culture. He warned that contemporary Western nations have lost confidence and urged a resurgence of power. Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei and parliamentary leader Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded by accusing Rubio of erasing Greek, Roman, Christian and modern history to rationalise a military buildup.

Tehran’s foreign ministry claimed the U.S. advances a "America first" story to legitimize escalation after a recent reduction in direct attacks. The Iranian side also referenced historical parallels, warning that invoking history without preparation invites repetition. Domestic media depicted Rubio in Roman armor, suggesting he is crafting an ideological backdrop for war. Analysts say the speech aims to cast Iran, not Islam, as the West’s common adversary, aligning with broader U.S. strategic messaging.