US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that economic sanctions and a naval blockade were causing “extraordinary economic pain” on Iran, saying Washington could attain its goals without restarting major military operations.
Following two days of G7 foreign minister talks in Paris, Rubio said that President Donald Trump had decided that there was no need for military escalation at this time, as the US was meeting its goals through economic sanctions.
“The economic pain that is currently being inflicted on Iran is extraordinary, and it is cumulative.” “It’s expanding every day,” said Rubio to the press.
If we can accomplish the same goal through economic means and pressure, then there’s no need to use military strikes. “That’s not a deadlock,” he continued.
Iran is struggling more than ever to find buyers for its energy exports, Rubio said. He said the United States received evaluations from regional allies backing its campaign of economic pressure.
On Monday, Trump said he decided to delay other strikes after appeals from countries in the region, including Qatar.
But Rubio said the US military stood ready should the situation change.
The naval blockade and sanctions by the US remain a major component of the US pressure campaign against Tehran.
