Trump holds off Iran strikes as sanctions and blockade bite, Rubio says
Marco Rubio told allies that sanctions and a naval blockade make military strikes on Iran unnecessary.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told G7 allies that President Trump does not need to order military strikes on Iran. Economic sanctions and a naval blockade are already doing severe damage, Rubio said.
Speaking in Paris after two days of meetings, Rubio said the economic pain Iran faces is extraordinary and growing daily. Trump has received confirmation from Middle East regional allies.
On Monday, Trump said he plans to hold off on military action after appeals from countries including Qatar. Rubio rejected claims that avoiding strikes amounts to stalemate.
He said Iran has never faced such inability to sell energy on the global market.
Why it mattersUsing economic pressure instead of military strikes lowers the risk of conflict and marks a shift toward sanctions and blockades as the primary US policy tool.
AustraliaReduced Middle East conflict risk means more stable global oil markets and lower volatility in international trade affecting Australian prices and exports.
Corroborated byPerthNow
