Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed U.S. diplomats world wide to induce overseas governments to “transfer expeditiously to decrease the capabilities of Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist teams from attacking our respective nations and residents” amid an “elevated threat of assault” from the nation and its proxies, in response to a non-public cable obtained by ABC Information.
The mandate from the secretary was issued to all diplomatic and consular posts Monday as a part of an “motion request” labeled “Elevated Concern of IRGC Exercise,” referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
It instructs U.S. officers to ship the message above — which is labeled delicate however unclassified — “on the highest acceptable degree” by March 20.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes half in a U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag Elevating ceremony on the State Division, Monday, March 9, 2026 in Washington. (AP Picture/Kevin Wolf)
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The Trump administration has been looking for to construct worldwide assist for its navy marketing campaign towards Iran, significantly with regards to assembling a coalition to full open the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump stated on Monday {that a} listing of nations that had agreed to assist can be introduced quickly.
Rubio’s communication to diplomats doesn’t elaborate on the elevated threat of assault from Iran or its proxies, however stresses {that a} mixed method is one of the best technique for offsetting the risk.
“We assess that the Iranian regime is extra delicate to collective motion than unilateral motion, and that joint stress is extra more likely to compel habits change by the regime than unilateral actions alone,” the cable says.
“We should act whereas worldwide consideration is targeted now to finish the Iranian marketing campaign of terror within the Center East and globally. Don’t enable this important motion to cross,” it says.
A girl holds a poster of the brand new and former supreme leaders throughout a Quds Day demonstration, March 13, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.
Majid Saeedi/Getty Pictures
Requested by ABC Information for remark, a State Division spokesperson stated, “President Trump is targeted on securing peace within the Center East. The IRGC, Hizballah, and different Iranian backed proxies destabilize authorities and undermine regional peace.”
The cable additionally instructs diplomats to ship different messages, together with a reminder of Iranian regime’s long-running efforts to destabilize the Center East and past by way of its assist of teams together with Hezbollah, Hamas and Iraqi militias, in addition to the targets of Operation Epic Fury — which it says are to “neutralize Iran’s nuclear program, destroy its ballistic missile program, disrupt its proxy networks, and diminish its naval capabilities.”
“At publish’s discretion, advocacy efforts needs to be coordinated with Israeli diplomatic counterparts,” the cable says, including that the speaking factors “might not be left behind.”
Iranians attend the funeral of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders, military commanders and others killed within the early days of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, at Enghelab Sq. in Tehran on March 11, 2026.
Atta Kenare/AFP through Getty Pictures
Moreover, diplomats in nations which have not but designated the IRGC and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations are directed to encourage their authorities to “swiftly” accomplish that, offering extra arguments aimed toward making the case.
“Such a designation will intensify the stress on the Iranian regime and restrict its means to sponsor terror actions throughout the globe that jeopardizes the security and safety of your populations,” the cable says.
“The IRGC has straight orchestrated terrorist and assassination plots on overseas soil and engaged in ongoing espionage and affect operations,” it provides. “These plots are intentional acts designed to intimidate populations and inflict hurt in your civilians.”
