According to "Axios," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has informed several allied foreign ministers in recent days that "at present," the United States does not anticipate launching new strikes against Iran, opting instead to focus on other pressure tactics.
As reported by "Axios," Rubio conveyed to Washington's allied foreign ministers that the United States currently does not expect to initiate new strikes on Iran, choosing instead to emphasize sanctions and economic pressures, according to an American official and another informed source.
American sources cited by the site indicated that "Rubio clarified that Washington is not planning to return to full-scale combat operations at this stage," though he did not rule out strikes should Iran launch a first attack.
Another U.S. official suggested that this policy is expected to remain at least until after the midterm elections.
Officials in the U.S. administration noted that the removal of mines from most areas of the Strait of Hormuz, along with increased oil tanker traffic, has significantly diminished Iran's negotiating leverage.
Nearly six months into the conflict, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bisent unveiled punitive measures against Iran on Monday, though he stopped short of imposing what might be considered the most severe sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on 60 individuals, entities, and vessels, but the list did not include any Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iranian oil trade.
The United States and Iran announced ceasefire agreements twice, in April and June, aiming to restore free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to end the conflict that has persisted for nearly six months, but these efforts quickly collapsed.