Rubio says no major Iran combat needed, calls US economic campaign devastating

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that major combat operations against Iran are unnecessary, claiming the US Treasury's economic campaign is already devastating Tehran. He spoke to reporters in Paris during G7 talks. Rubio stated the pressure campaign is progressing well and should not be disrupted. He said Iran would welcome a deal but called its negotiating conditions "absurd." Separately, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth defended military operations involving Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela, vowing to repeat them. Hegseth also warned that American forces remain ready to respond to any further Iranian action. The comments come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over nuclear and regional issues.