Political speech, timestamped and in context

Marco Rubio: “There's a lot of focus on the Arctic. I think Iceland plays a very critical role in the defense of NATO writ…”

Featuring: Marco Rubio, Republican | Secretary of State, United States | National

BREAKING NEWS: Rubio Holds Press Briefing With Iceland's Foreign Minister Amidst Russia Plague Fears

Published October 6, 2026

The reality of it is the world has changed over the last 20 years. Our focus has changed. There's a lot of focus on the Arctic. I think Iceland plays a very critical role in the defense of NATO writ large. I think Iceland and its location plays a critical role in the defense both of Europe, but also of the homeland of the United States, because of geography. (12:59–13:06)

STATEMENT

Asserts Iceland's critical role in NATO defense, particularly in the Arctic.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Marco Rubio in this video

“Over 700,000 Americans visit [Iceland] annually.”
Asserts that over 700,000 Americans visit Iceland annually.04:37-04:40
“Our great ambassador...says he's going to get that up to a million American visitors over the next few years.”
Asserts that the U.S. ambassador to Iceland aims to increase American visitors to a million in the coming years.04:44-04:52
“For decades, this nation in Iceland has occupied a critical strategic position for our collective security.”
Asserts that Iceland has been strategically important for collective security for decades.05:22-05:31
“The location of this country between the United States and Europe and the high north means that it sits at the center of many of the questions surrounding the security and the defense of our shared region.”
Asserts that Iceland's location is central to security and defense issues between the U.S. and Europe.05:43-05:55
“Our potential adversaries and real competitors already and predatory industries associated with them are already acting against our interest.”
Asserts that adversaries and competitors are acting against U.S. interests.06:02-06:15
“You don't have a traditional military in the traditional sense of the word, but you are a NATO member and you are a contributor to collective security.”
Asserts that Iceland lacks a traditional military but contributes to NATO and collective security.06:26-06:36
“Iceland has allowed the US Military to project power and collectively working together, using your land, your air, your sea.”
Asserts Iceland's strategic role in US military operations since World War II.07:11-07:20
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 U.S. Iceland Defense Agreement.”
Asserts the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Iceland Defense Agreement.07:31-07:38
“Over 1,200 Americans participated, along with our allies, in the Northern Viking 2026 military exercise.”
Asserts participation of over 1,200 Americans in the Northern Viking 2026 military exercise.07:46-07:55
“Iceland is blessed with an abundance of energy that is renewable and self-sustaining.”
Asserts that Iceland has abundant renewable and self-sustaining energy resources.07:58-08:06
“We obviously had an enduring presence here that ended in 2006.”
Asserts the U.S. military presence in Iceland ended in 2006.12:46-12:50
“We're all concerned about what's happening in the high north and in the Arctic region, both from irregular measures, covert measures that are happening, but also threats to undersea cables, threats to shipping lanes.”
Asserts concerns about irregular and covert threats in the Arctic, including threats to undersea cables and shipping lanes.13:27-13:39
“There are economic, commercial threats that have implications on the national security of our respective countries.”
Asserts that economic and commercial threats impact national security.14:02-14:09
“Because of this terrorist regime in Iran targeting commercial shipping lanes.”
Asserts that Iran's regime targets commercial shipping lanes.16:19-16:24
“We still had people present. We're still committed to it.”
Asserts continued U.S. commitment to Northern Viking exercises despite absence of ships or airplanes.16:49-16:53
“Our alignment with Iceland is generally, you know, very concrete.”
Asserts strong alignment between U.S. and Iceland on international perspectives.18:55-19:01
“We have a history of security cooperation...extends all the way back for 75 years.”
Asserts a 75-year history of security cooperation between the U.S. and Iceland.19:46-20:04
“There are real opportunities for [Icelandic companies] to do business in the United States.”
Asserts business opportunities for Icelandic companies in the U.S.20:30-20:34
“We'd like to present [business opportunities] to American investors.”
Asserts intention to present Icelandic business opportunities to American investors.20:38-20:40
“The era of free trade agreements for the foreseeable future is probably not going to be there.”
Asserts that free trade agreements are unlikely in the near future.21:05-21:10
“Meetings to try to pursue and further [a bilateral trade agreement] are being organized as already pre-existing to my visit.”
Asserts that meetings for a bilateral trade agreement are already being organized.21:21-21:21
“Anytime you hear that there's some disease that infected someone in a lab anywhere in the world, you're going to be concerned about it.”
Asserts concern over lab-related disease infections globally.22:43-22:49
“It's incumbent upon Russia to obviously share more information with the world.”
Asserts that Russia should share more information about the suspected plague death.23:01-23:06
“We have multiple agencies, not just in the United States, but internationally, that are watching it.”
Asserts that multiple international agencies are monitoring the situation in Russia.23:47-23:52