WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply rejected suggestions that President Trump is weakening U.S. policy toward Iran, insisting the administration will never allow the Islamic Republic to develop a nuclear weapon.

“The idea that somehow this president, given everything he’s already proven he’s willing to do, is going to somehow agree to a deal that ultimately winds up putting Iran in a stronger position when it comes to nuclear ambitions is absurd,” Rubio said.

“That’s just not going to happen,” he added.

Rubio made the remarks amid criticism from some quarters that the Trump administration is easing pressure on Iran and undermining “Operation Epic Fury,” a reference to prior U.S. actions against Iranian nuclear capabilities.

“Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon, certainly not as long as Donald Trump is President of the United States,” Rubio declared.