Rubio Declares ‘Old World Is Gone’ Following Iran Strikes
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a gaggle of reporters on Saturday, following U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran, that “the old world” he grew up in “is gone,” while urging American allies to realize that and help Washington forge a new path forward for the West.
“The world is changing very fast right in front of us,” Rubio said. “The old world is gone, frankly, the world I grew up in, and we live in a new era of geopolitics, and it’s gonna require all of us to sort of reexamine what that looks like and what our role is going to be.”
He added, “We’ve had many of these conversations in private with many of our allies. We need to continue to have those conversations.”
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday that Rubio notified senior congressional leaders ahead of the joint U.S. Israeli military operation against Iran.
Leavitt’s statement, posted to X, came as critics questioned whether President Donald Trump authorized the strikes without the required approval from Congress.
“President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar a Lago alongside members of his national security team. The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone,” Leavitt wrote.
“Prior to the attacks, Secretary Rubio called all members of the gang of eight to provide congressional notification, and he was able to reach and brief seven of the eight members,” she added.
“The President and his national security team will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the day.”
Leavitt did not indicate whether Trump would return to Washington or remain at his Florida residence.
The so called “Gang of Eight” includes the Senate and House majority and minority leaders as well as the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees.
House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that the group had been briefed.
“The Gang of Eight was briefed in detail earlier this week about potential military action against Iran,” Johnson said, according to The Independent.
Under the 1947 National Security Act, Congress must be kept “fully informed” of significant intelligence activities.
However, according to the Harvard Kennedy School, presidents from both parties have interpreted that language to mean that notifying the “Gang of Eight” satisfies the requirement rather than briefing the full intelligence committees.
Leavitt’s comments followed criticism from Rep. Thomas Massie, R Ky., who wrote on X, “Acts of war unauthorized by Congress.”
Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D Calif., had planned to force a vote next week that would restrict Trump’s ability to launch strikes on Iran without formal congressional authorization.
As the debate over war powers intensified, Rubio announced Friday that Iran had been designated a state sponsor of wrongful detention.
“When the Iranian regime seized power 47 years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini consolidated his control of power by endorsing the hostage taking of US embassy staff,” Rubio said in a statement.
“For decades, Iran has continued to cruelly detain innocent Americans, as well as citizens of other nations, to use as political leverage against other states. This abhorrent practice must end.”
Rubio said Trump signed an executive order last fall to protect U.S. nationals from wrongful detention abroad and that Congress later enacted the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025.
“The Iranian regime must stop taking hostages and release all Americans unjustly detained in Iran, steps that could end this designation and associated actions,” Rubio said.
My Husband Left Me in Rags for His Mistress. He Didn't Know My Billionaire Father Owned the Gala.
He took his mistress to the most prestigious gala in the city and left me standing in an old evening dress, then looked me in the eye and said, ""You'll only embarrass me."" He thought humiliating me would be the end of the story. He had no idea that one phone call I'd kept hidden for three years was about to shake everything he had built.
""You really planned to wear that?""
My husband's voice drifted up from the front entrance, cold enough to make my hands tremble. I stood frozen in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at the navy dress I had treasured since before we got married. The fabric was still elegant, but time had begun to show along the sleeves. I smoothed them anyway, hoping they looked less obvious.
Outside, Spencer Reed stepped out of his black SUV looking like the perfect CEO, every inch polished and confident. From the hallway, I heard our housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn, gently ask if she should tell me it was time to come downstairs.
""There isn't any reason,"" Spencer answered without hesitation. ""Paisley's coming with me.""
His words hit harder than a slap.
I walked to the window and watched him adjust his cuff links without even glancing toward the house. Three years of marriage... and somehow I still kept convincing myself that if I stayed humble enough, patient enough, invisible enough, he would eventually love me.
I was wrong.
The sound of high heels echoed through the marble foyer.
Paisley Dawson slipped beside him wearing a shimmering gold gown that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Around her neck sparkled a diamond necklace that cost more than I had probably spent on myself during our entire marriage.
She smiled sweetly before looking me up and down.
""So... you're the wife.""
Her eyes paused on my worn sleeves, and she laughed softly.
""Now I understand why Spencer never brings you anywhere.""
I waited.
Surely my husband would say something.
Anything.
Instead, he smiled at her.
""You look incredible.""
The room suddenly felt colder.
Paisley rested her hand possessively on his arm.
""The Apex Group charity gala isn't a place for someone dressed like... that,"" she said. ""Tonight will be filled with CEOs, senators, investors—people who actually matter. You'd only make Spencer look bad.""
Every word was carefully chosen to wound.
I turned to Spencer, refusing to let them see the anger building inside me.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't deny her words.
He simply offered Paisley his arm.
""We're late.""
That was all.
I stood silently as the front door closed behind them. A few seconds later, the SUV disappeared through the gates, its taillights fading into the evening.
Mrs. Evelyn quietly walked over and touched my arm.
""I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. Would you like me to make you some dinner?""
I forced a faint smile.
""No... thank you.""
I climbed the stairs alone and shut the bedroom door behind me. Through the window I could see the skyline where tonight's gala was already beginning, lights glowing above the city like another world I was never meant to enter.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message.
Unknown number.
When I opened it, my stomach dropped.
It was a selfie from the back seat of Spencer's SUV.
Paisley leaned against him with a smug grin, flashing a peace sign while Spencer's reflection appeared beside her in the window.
Below the photo she had written:
""By the time tonight is over, he'll belong to me completely. Have fun waiting at home.""
I didn't cry.
Instead, I walked to my vanity, opened the lowest drawer, and pulled out a small red velvet box I hadn't touched in three years.
Inside rested a SIM card.
The one I promised myself I'd never need again.
I slipped it into my phone.
Only one contact appeared.
Dad.
My thumb hovered over the screen before I finally pressed Call.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then I heard the voice I hadn't allowed myself to hear since I walked away from my family.
""Phoebe?""
His voice sounded older... but the concern was still there.
My throat tightened.
""Dad...""
For a moment I couldn't speak.
Then the words finally escaped.
""I want to come home.""
Silence.
Long enough to make my heart pound.
Finally, my father—Raymond Harrell, the billionaire whose name could open almost any door in the country—answered with a voice trembling from emotion.
""My little girl...""
Another pause.
""I'm coming to get you.""
In that instant, everything changed.
Spencer believed tonight would elevate his empire.
He had no idea the most powerful man he'd ever unknowingly offended was already on his way.
