U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that American military operations against Iran are anticipated to conclude within weeks rather than months, with all objectives achievable without deploying ground forces.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with G7 foreign ministers in France, Rubio indicated that the military campaign is progressing at or ahead of schedule and is expected to conclude appropriately—a process taking weeks, not months.

While Rubio affirmed that ground troops are unnecessary to achieve strategic goals, he acknowledged the deployment of additional forces to the region to ensure the President has maximum flexibility and options should unforeseen circumstances arise.

During discussions with G7 counterparts, Rubio addressed the possibility that Iran might attempt to levy tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz even after the conflict ends. He suggested that European and Asian nations benefiting from trade through this vital waterway should share the burden of ensuring freedom of navigation, thereby reducing U.S. reliance on securing the route.

The U.S. has dispatched two Marine expeditionary units, each numbering in the thousands, to the Middle East, with the first contingent expected to arrive via large amphibious assault ships by late March. The Pentagon also plans to deploy several thousand elite airborne troops.

This reinforcement has raised concerns that the conflict, initiated by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 which resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader and several senior officials, could escalate into a protracted ground war. Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. and Israeli assets, civilian infrastructure in Gulf Arab states, and commercial shipping have already disrupted global energy and commodity trade, fueling inflation fears and recessionary worries.

U.S. President Donald Trump, eager to end the unpopular war, has repeatedly emphasized "productive negotiations" aimed at a diplomatic resolution this week, despite Tehran's continued denial that any talks are underway. On Thursday, Trump extended by ten days Iran's deadline to reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz, threatening strikes on Iranian civilian energy infrastructure otherwise.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism that talks with Iran could occur within a week and anticipated a prompt Iranian response to Trump's 15-point ceasefire proposal. Witkoff outlined clear U.S. red lines, including a prohibition on uranium enrichment and the requirement for Iran to surrender its claimed stockpile of 10,000 kilograms of enriched nuclear material.

Reports from Iranian media indicated that late Friday, a decommissioned heavy-water nuclear research reactor and a uranium yellowcake production facility were attacked, with assurances that no radioactive leaks or safety hazards resulted. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on social media platform X that Iran reported no elevated radiation levels near the yellowcake facility and that the agency would investigate the reports.

Additional reports suggested the Bushehr nuclear power plant was also targeted, though Iranian media claimed the attack caused no casualties or significant damage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X that Israel, coordinated with the U.S., also struck two Iranian steel plants and a power station. He stated, "These attacks contradict the diplomatic negotiation deadline extended by the President. Iran will make Israel pay a heavy price for its crimes."

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has not yet decided how to respond to the U.S. proposals delivered this week, following the attacks on industrial and nuclear sites on Friday. The official noted that Iran had planned to respond by Friday or Saturday, but found the U.S. actions—simultaneously seeking talks while continuing attacks—"unacceptable."

The U.S. proposal, delivered via Pakistan two days prior, includes demands for Iran to dismantle its nuclear and missile programs and relinquish control over the world's most critical energy trade route.

The conflict has spread throughout the Middle East, resulting in thousands of casualties and causing the most severe energy supply disruption in history. The global economy is reeling from soaring oil, gas, and fertilizer prices, exacerbating inflation concerns.

According to Maria Martinez, a representative of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, over 1,900 people have been killed and at least 20,000 injured in Iran.

Attacks by Hezbollah, Iran's ally in Lebanon, against Israel have prompted large-scale Israeli military operations, displacing one-fifth of Lebanon's population.

The Israeli military reported on Friday evening that Iran launched missiles into Israel. Israeli emergency services confirmed one fatality, a 60-year-old man in the Tel Aviv area.

Media sources and Saudi officials reported that Iranian missiles and drones struck the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, injuring several U.S. personnel and damaging multiple U.S. refueling aircraft. The Pentagon has not yet commented on the incident.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group stated it is prepared to militarily intervene under specific conditions, such as if new allies join the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran or if the Red Sea is used to launch attacks against Iran.

U.S. intelligence, cited by five informed sources, suggests that despite efforts to degrade Iran's long-range strike capabilities, only approximately one-third of Iran's missile arsenal has been confirmed destroyed.

As losses mount with no clear end to hostilities, four Gulf state sources indicated that Arab Gulf countries have communicated to the U.S. that any agreement must not only end the war but also permanently curb Iran's missile and drone capabilities, ensuring global energy supplies are no longer weaponized.

Global markets are experiencing significant volatility. Oil prices are fluctuating amid the worldwide crisis, geopolitical tensions, supply shocks, and economic cycles.

Stock markets continued their decline on Friday, with the Brent crude benchmark surpassing $112 per barrel, marking an increase of over 50% since the conflict began.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that the average price of diesel in California reached a record high of $7.17 per gallon, increasing political pressure on President Trump due to rising fuel costs. Long-term oil prices have surged substantially since the outbreak of the Iran conflict.