WASHINGTON, United States: The US Iran sanctions shift will emphasise economic pressure rather than new strikes for now, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told allied foreign ministers.
A US official and another source familiar with the calls said Rubio did not rule out military action if Iran attacked first.
The current approach includes new Treasury Department sanctions, a US naval blockade and efforts to move more oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
US officials said Navy mine-clearing operations and increased tanker traffic through the strait had reduced Iran’s leverage over regional energy flows. Their assessment was not independently verified in the supplied report.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told Axios that Washington was trying to cut Iran’s remaining financial channels. He also said President Donald Trump remained committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Read: Ghalibaf Mocks Trump With ‘Make America Hungry Again’ Post
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran on Sunday for talks with Iranian leaders. Al Arabiya reported that Munir spoke with Trump before the trip and suggested a new proposal for Tehran.
The White House did not deny the call but said no talks with Iran were currently scheduled.
Read: Iran Sanctions Plan Targets Two Years of US Pressure
Separately, White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit US Central Command on Wednesday for briefings. US officials said current pressure could eventually push Tehran back toward negotiations.
