US rules out major Iran strikes, says sanctions working

The United States has ruled out fresh major military strikes against Iran for now, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying economic sanctions are proving devastatingly effective, though Washington warns Tehran it will face a "terrible price" if it crosses US red lines. Speaking after a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris on Tuesday, Rubio said the economic campaign was inflicting severe damage on Iran's leadership and reducing the need for combat operations, with US blockades drying up Iranian oil supplies. He added that Tehran's conditions for negotiations were unreasonable and it was not approaching talks seriously. The G7 discussions included a fresh diplomatic push involving Qatar's prime minister, who met with European and Saudi foreign ministers after talks with President Donald Trump on ending the conflict that began February 28 with the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. European allies urged Washington to avoid further escalation, with Britain calling for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.