The United States has reportedly put plans for fresh military strikes against Iran on hold for the time being, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling several foreign counterparts that Washington is instead concentrating on economic pressure and efforts to restrict Tehran’s access to international markets.
According to US officials and a source familiar with the discussions, Rubio has communicated to foreign ministers from several allied countries that the administration of President Donald Trump does not currently intend to launch another major military operation against Iran.
The shift comes as Washington believes its naval blockade and control of key maritime routes are placing increasing pressure on the Iranian economy. US officials also say growing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are weakening Iran’s ability to use the strategic waterway as leverage in negotiations.
However, the officials stressed that the absence of plans for immediate strikes does not mean the military option has been permanently removed from consideration.
One US official said Rubio made clear that Washington was not preparing for a return to major combat operations at the moment, but did not rule out military action if Iran were to launch an attack against the United States or its interests.
The development is also being viewed as an indication that Trump is increasingly interested in bringing the conflict to an end, at least temporarily, after weeks of escalating military and economic pressure.
Focus shifts to economic warfare
Rather than launching additional strikes, the Trump administration is expected to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.
Officials said the current strategy involves three major elements: avoiding further military action for the time being, increasing financial pressure through sanctions and the naval blockade, and facilitating the movement of as much oil as possible through the Strait of Hormuz and into global markets.
The strategy follows a new sanctions initiative announced by the US Treasury Department as Washington seeks to restrict the Iranian government’s access to revenue and international financial networks.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the US believes the pressure campaign is already having a major impact on Iran.
“The Iranian economy is in free fall and the regime’s military has been decimated,” Pigott said, adding that Washington was seeking to cut off what he described as Tehran’s remaining financial lifelines.
He reiterated the Trump administration’s position that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“The President has been clear that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and that he will use the tools necessary to ensure that objective is accomplished,” Pigott said.
Strait of Hormuz becomes critical battleground
A major component of the US strategy is its naval presence around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
A senior US official described the recent clearing of mines from the waterway as a turning point in the conflict, arguing that the operation had significantly reduced one of Iran’s most important sources of leverage.
US officials say an increasing number of oil tankers have recently been able to pass through the southern section of the strait, allowing more crude oil to reach international markets.
They argue that the development has weakened Iran’s ability to disrupt global energy supplies.
One US official was quoted as saying that Iran had effectively lost control of the waterway and that the United States now exercised the dominant influence over it.
Washington also believes the naval blockade is depriving Tehran of significant oil revenue. US officials said that over the previous two weeks, very few tankers had been observed at Kharg Island, Iran’s principal oil-export terminal.
The US administration views the reduction in Iranian oil exports as an important component of its broader strategy to weaken Tehran financially without immediately expanding the military campaign.
Iran under growing pressure
US officials believe the combined effect of military losses, reduced oil revenues and economic sanctions is putting substantial pressure on the Iranian government.
The administration hopes that the worsening economic situation will eventually encourage Tehran to reconsider its position and return to negotiations.
“Right now we are not negotiating with Iran. We are squeezing them,” one US official said, adding that the pressure could eventually push the Iranian government back to the negotiating table.
Another US official indicated that the current policy could remain in place until after the US midterm elections, although a renewed military campaign could subsequently be considered.
That possibility highlights the uncertainty surrounding the conflict. While Washington is currently seeking to avoid further escalation, officials have not ruled out military action if circumstances change.
Pakistan seeks diplomatic opening
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, travelled to Tehran on Sunday for discussions with Iranian leaders as Islamabad attempts to maintain its role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan has been involved in diplomatic efforts since the conflict began, seeking ways to reduce tensions and create conditions for negotiations.
According to Al Arabiya, Munir spoke with Trump before travelling to Iran and presented a possible new proposal for consideration by the Iranian leadership.
The White House did not deny that Trump and Munir had spoken but stressed that there were currently no scheduled negotiations between the United States and Iran.
The development suggests that diplomatic channels remain open despite Washington’s insistence that it is currently focused on applying pressure rather than negotiating directly with Tehran.
US officials argue that the changing situation in the Strait of Hormuz has also altered the balance of power ahead of any potential negotiations.
With more tankers reportedly moving through the waterway and Iran’s ability to restrict shipping diminished, Washington believes Tehran has lost a major bargaining tool.
Officials also suggested that any future arrangement involving Oman and Iran over the strait could become less significant because of the increased US control of maritime traffic.
For now, the Trump administration appears to be pursuing a strategy of maximum economic pressure while avoiding another major military escalation.
The approach leaves open the possibility of diplomacy, but Washington’s message remains that Iran must first face sustained economic and strategic pressure.
Whether that pressure will force Tehran back to negotiations or trigger another phase of military confrontation remains uncertain.
