US Ditches Military Strikes for Economic Pressure on Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has informed several foreign ministers that Washington is shifting its approach to dealing with Iran from military strikes to economic and maritime pressure, according to a report by Axios.
Rubio outlined the Trump administration's current strategy in phone calls with foreign counterparts, saying that the focus would be on increasing economic pressure through a US naval blockade and a new sanctions initiative announced by the Treasury Department.
The administration plans to move as much Iranian oil as possible through the Strait of Hormuz and into global energy markets, Axios reported. A US official said Rubio made clear Washington was not planning a return to major combat operations, although he did not rule out military strikes if Iran attacks first.