Rubio: No Need for Large-Scale Combat Operations Against Iran Amid Economic Campaign

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that he had informed G7 allies that the economic sanctions and naval blockade imposed by the United States are highly effective, to the extent that President Donald Trump does not need to launch large-scale military operations against Iran.

In remarks to journalists in Paris following two-day meetings with G7 allies, Rubio again dismissed suggestions that halting military action would mean the situation has reached a dead end or that the status quo would remain unchanged.

Rubio said, “The economic pain being inflicted on Iran now is exceptional and mounting. It is increasing every day.” He added that Trump had also received input from Middle Eastern allies confirming this assessment.

Trump clarified on Monday that he intends not to carry out new military strikes on Iran for the time being, following appeals from regional countries, including one from the Prime Minister of Qatar during talks at the White House.

Rubio said, “We don’t need to launch military strikes if we are achieving the same objective through economic measures and economic pressure. This is not a dead end.” He added, “Iran has never before faced the inability to sell energy on the global market as it does today.”