Rubio orders US diplomats to pressure countries to take swift action against Iran amid ‘high risk of attack’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed U.S. diplomats around the world to urge foreign governments to “move quickly to reduce the capabilities of Iran and Iranian-allied terrorist groups from attacking our nations and citizens” amid an “increased risk of attack” from the country and its proxies, according to a private cable obtained by ABC News.
The mandate was issued by the minister to all diplomatic and consular missions on Monday as part of a “request for action” called “Increased Concern regarding IRGC Activity,” referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
US officials are required to hand over the above letter – which has been classified as sensitive but unclassified – “at the highest appropriate level” by March 20.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio participates in a ceremony raising the flag for hostages and illegal detainees at the State Department on Monday, March 9, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolfe)
Associated Press
The Trump administration is seeking to mobilize international support for its military campaign against Iran, especially when it comes to forming a coalition to fully open the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the list of countries that have agreed to aid will be announced soon.
Rubio’s calls with diplomats did not clarify the growing risk of an attack from Iran or its proxies, but she stressed that a joint approach was the best strategy to offset the threat.
“We appreciate that The Iranian regime is more sensitive to collective action than unilateral action, the cable says, and this combined pressure is more likely to force the regime to change its behavior than unilateral actions alone.
“We must act while international attention is now focused on ending Iran’s campaign of terror in the Middle East and the world. Do not allow this decisive movement to pass.” She says.
A woman holds a poster of new and former Supreme Leaders during a Quds Day demonstration, March 13, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.
Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
When asked for comment by ABC News, A State Department spokesperson said: “President Trump is focused on securing peace in the Middle East. The IRGC, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed proxies are destabilizing the government and undermining regional peace.”
The cable also asks diplomats to deliver other messages, including a reminder of the Iranian regime’s long-standing efforts to destabilize the Middle East and beyond through its support for Iran. Groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraqi militias, as well as the goals of Operation Epic Rage – which it says is to “neutralise Iran’s nuclear programme, destroy its ballistic missile programme, disable its proxy networks, and reduce its maritime capabilities”.
“At the discretion of the position, advocacy efforts should be coordinated with their Israeli diplomatic counterparts,” the cable says. Talking points that “shouldn’t be left behind.”
Iranians attend the funeral of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders, army commanders and others killed in the first days of US and Israeli strikes on Iran, at Enghelab Square in Tehran on March 11, 2026.
Ata Kinari/AFP via Getty Images
In addition, diplomats in countries that have The IRGC and Hezbollah have not yet been designated as terrorist organizations, as they are directed to encourage their government to do so “quickly,” providing additional arguments aimed at making the case.
“Such a designation would increase pressure on the Iranian regime and limit its ability to sponsor terrorist activities around the world that put the safety and security of your population at risk,” the cable said.
He adds, “The Iranian Revolutionary Guard directly plotted terrorist and assassination plots on foreign soil and participated in ongoing espionage and influence operations.” He added, “These plots are deliberate acts aimed at terrorizing the population and harming civilians.”
