US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the world will be “safer and a better place” once the American mission in Iran has been completed.

Speaking at an event in Washington, Rubio described Iran’s government as “the world’s largest hostage taker” and “the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism”, saying the US campaign has a clear military objective.

He said that goal includes destroying Iran’s ability to launch missiles, wiping out the factories that produce them, and dismantling the country’s navy.

“We are well on our way to achieving that objective,” Rubio said.

He added that, with each passing day, Iran has fewer missiles, fewer launchers, less productive factories and a navy that is being steadily degraded.