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Rubio tells allies U.S. shifting from strikes to sanctions on Iran

26 August 2026 01:23 (UTC +04:00)

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio told several of his foreign counterparts in recent days that Washington is not expected to launch fresh strikes against Iran "for the time being," Axios.

Washington is instead focused on utilizing other types of pressure, including the sanctions it announced this week, Rubio said. While making clear that the US isn't planning a return to major combat operations, Rubio didn't rule out attacks if Iran hits first, the unnamed US official said.

The current plan is aimed at avoiding military action for the time being, boosting economic pressure on Iran, and moving as much oil as possible through the strait, the report said. A second US official said this policy would last at least until after the midterm elections, when military options could again be on the table.