US Secretary of State Rubio: No more attacks on Iran for now
Marco Rubio presented the updated policy in conversations with foreign ministers around the world. Mines were cleared from the Strait of Hormuz in a covert operation. The US now controls the shipping lane — Iran has lost its leverage.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told several of his counterparts around the world in recent days that for now, the United States is not expected to initiate new attacks against Iran, but rather to focus its policy on other means of pressure, according to a senior US official and another source familiar with the details.
Why it matters
The messages Rubio conveyed to several foreign ministers from US allied countries are another sign that President Donald Trump is tired of the war and wants to end it, at least in the immediate term. The US official said that although Rubio clarified that the United States is moving away from the possibility of returning to a large-scale military operation in Iran, he did not rule out a possible attack if Iran takes provocative action and initiates a renewal of the conflict. Another US official claimed that the clearing of mines from the Strait of Hormuz by the US Navy is a turning point in the war, which deprived Iran of one of its central assets.
Behind the scenes
The sources said that Rubio presented the current policy of the Trump administration toward Iran in phone calls with several of his counterparts: avoiding attacks in Iran for now; increasing economic pressure on Iran through the blockade and the new move by the Treasury Department to expand sanctions; continuing to normalize the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and getting as much oil as possible out to the global energy market. Another US official said this is expected to be the policy at least until after the midterm elections in November, when the possibility of a new military campaign may return to the table.
The situation
US officials argue that the clearing of mines from most of the Strait of Hormuz, along with the fact that in recent weeks more and more tankers are passing through the southern route of the strait, have significantly reduced Iran's ability to use global energy markets as a leverage. "The Iranians have lost control of the strait. Now the United States controls it," said a US official. In addition, the US naval blockade is preventing vital revenue for Iran. US officials claim that in the last two weeks, almost no tankers have been observed at Kharg Island, where Iran's main oil export center is located.
"The Iranian economy is in free fall and the regime's military has been hit hard. President Donald Trump holds all the cards, and we are cutting off every financial lifeline that the regime still had. The President has made it clear that Iran must not have nuclear weapons, and that he will use the necessary tools to ensure that this goal is achieved," said US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
On Sunday, the commander of the Pakistani army, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was in Tehran for talks with the Iranian leadership. The Pakistanis have been among the main mediators between the United States and Iran since the beginning of the war. According to Al-Arabiya, Munir spoke with President Donald Trump before his trip to Tehran and conveyed a new proposal to the Iranians. The White House did not deny that Trump spoke with Munir, but claimed that there are currently no negotiations with Iran and no talks are planned.
US officials argue that the new developments in the strait and the increase in the amount of oil leaving the Gulf have also deprived Iran of a significant card in any future negotiations. "Right now we are not negotiating with Iran. We are pressuring them. The pressure may bring the Iranians back to the negotiating table," said a US official.
What to watch
White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who led the negotiations with Iran, are expected to visit the headquarters of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday and receive briefings on the situation on the ground in Iran and in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a source familiar with the details.
