US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Tuesday defended Washington's military posture toward Iran, arguing that Tehran had been attempting to build up conventional weapons capabilities as a "shield" to protect its nuclear programme.

Rubio says Iran nuclear talks may advance soon as senators press Trump on war strategy, Strait of Hormuz, Cuba and Venezuela policy.

Secretary of State testifies before US senators for first time since war began

US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Tuesday defended Washington's military posture toward Iran, arguing that Tehran had been attempting to build up conventional weapons…