Rubio says US economic campaign against Iran makes major combat operations unnecessary

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that US economic sanctions and a naval blockade against Iran are working so effectively that President Donald Trump does not need to conduct major combat operations against the country. Speaking to reporters in Paris after G7 meetings, Rubio rejected claims that avoiding military action constitutes a stalemate, citing "extraordinary" and growing economic pain inflicted on Iran. He noted Trump received input from regional Middle East allies supporting this assessment. Trump announced Monday he would hold off on military strikes after appeals from regional countries. Some top advisers, including Vice President JD Vance, prefer economic pressure or a deal, though Trump believes a tenable agreement is currently impossible.