Rubio Tells Allies U.S. Is Shifting From Iran Strikes to Sanctions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told several allied foreign ministers that the United States is not expected to initiate new strikes against Iran for now, according to U.S. officials briefed on the calls. The reported approach would intensify pressure through the naval blockade and sanctions while keeping open strikes if Iran attacks first. One official said the policy is expected to last through the U.S. midterm elections. Treasury separately said Operation Economic Outcast sanctioned nearly 60 Iran-linked targets and widened potential secondary sanctions across digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.