U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington’s strategy toward Iran is producing its expected effects, noting that economic sanctions and a naval blockade can achieve American objectives without the need for further military escalation. During a statement to the media in Paris, after two days of meetings with representatives of G7 countries, Rubio rejected the idea that the suspension of new strikes against Tehran could be interpreted as a blocking of the conflict.
He stressed that Iran is facing growing economic pressure, which, in his view, is intensifying by the day. The top American diplomat argued that Washington has no reason to use military force if the same results can be achieved through economic measures. He also claimed that restrictions on Iranian energy exports are unprecedented.
Rubio’s remarks come after President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily suspend new strikes on Iran, following requests from several countries in the region, including Qatar. Developments in the Middle East have also caused friction in the American political arena. Trump has acknowledged that the war with Iran was one of the factors that influenced the unfavorable result for Republicans in the midterm elections for Congress.
