Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said he believes the U.S. Navy sailors in the Persian Gulf taken into custody by Iran shows how the nation is testing the Obama administration’s limits, and called for Iran to release the sailors immediately in an interview just before President Obama’s State of the Union address.
Asked by Fox News whether Iran had taken a “provocative action,” Rubio responded that he would “absolutely” describe it as provocative.
“Iran is testing the boundaries of this administration’s resolve and they know that the boundaries are pretty wide that the administration is willing to let them get away with many things,” Rubio said. “You’re only seeing this accelerate since the deal was signed with Iran.”
“That’s why as my first day in office I will repeal the deal that Barack Obama has signed with Iran,” Rubio added. “They’re going to use that money to build out their conventional capabilities, that includes their Navy, to continue to build their long-range missiles, which they continue to test.”
The Florida senator argued that a continued pattern of provocation would exist so long as a “weak president” such as Obama resides in the White House. He also said he harbored an optimistic view of the future headed into Tuesday’s State of the Union address because Obama would never deliver another one.
Rubio ranks third in the Washington Examiner‘s GOP presidential power rankings.
