US not planning new strikes on Iran, will focus on sanctions

The United States is not planning to launch new strikes against Iran in the near future and will instead focus on other means of putting pressure on Tehran, including sanctions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told the foreign ministers of several countries, according to Axios.

Rubio stated that the US does not plan to resume large-scale military operations, but did not rule out strikes if Iran launches an attack first.

According to sources cited by the outlet, the US is expected to focus on increasing economic pressure on Iran through sanctions and a naval blockade, while moving ever-increasing amounts of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz.

One Axios source said the US administration intends to maintain this approach at least until the Nov. 3 midterm elections. According to a US administration official quoted by the outlet, the US is not negotiating with Iran, but is operating on the assumption that “the pressure could drive the Iranians back to the table.”