US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signaled a shift in Washington's strategy toward Iran, telling several allied foreign ministers that the United States does not expect to launch new military strikes "for the time being." According to a report, which cited a US official and another source familiar with the matter, Rubio outlined the Trump administration's current approach during recent telephone calls with foreign counterparts. The strategy will focus instead on intensifying economic and maritime pressure.
This economic pressure campaign includes a US naval blockade and a newly announced sanctions initiative from the Treasury Department. Additionally, the administration intends to facilitate the movement of as much Iranian oil as possible through the Strait of Hormuz and into global energy markets. A US official noted that while Washington is not planning a return to major combat operations, Rubio did not rule out the possibility of military strikes if Iran launches an attack first.
A key element of this shift involves the Strait of Hormuz. A second US official described the US Navy's clearing of mines from the waterway as a potential turning point in the standoff, asserting that the action has largely neutralized one of Tehran's primary sources of leverage. The report indicated that this maritime and economic approach could persist until after the US midterm elections, at which point a renewed military campaign might once again be considered.
However, Tehran has strongly rejected these claims. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed reports that US forces had cleared mines or were preparing to deploy mine-sweeping vessels to the strategic waterway. Gharibabadi questioned the US assertions, asking why no US ships have passed through if the mines have indeed been cleared, adding that only Iran knows the locations of the mines. He warned that any US mine-sweepers entering the region would be targeted by Iranian forces, characterizing US President Donald Trump's statements about mine clearance as an attempt to calm global markets.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.