Rubio Says US Not Planning New Strikes on Iran for Now

World 10:02 AM - 2026-08-26

The war between US and Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told several counterparts from allied countries that Washington does not currently expect to launch further airstrikes against Iran, according to Axios.

Instead, the Trump administration is focusing on tightening sanctions and maintaining a naval blockade, while keeping open the possibility of military action if Iran launches an attack, the report said.

Axios, citing a US official and another source familiar with the matter, reported that Rubio conveyed the message during calls with allied foreign ministers in recent days. He reportedly said the United States was not preparing to return to large-scale military operations, although further strikes could be considered if Iran initiates hostilities.

The reported shift reflects a move away from direct military confrontation towards increased economic pressure on Tehran, alongside efforts to increase the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz to international markets.

Three Pillars of US Policy

According to Axios, Rubio outlined three main elements of Washington’s current policy towards Iran: avoiding military action for now, increasing economic pressure through a naval blockade and additional sanctions, and facilitating greater oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

A second US official said the policy is expected to remain in place at least until after the US midterm elections, when Washington would reassess whether to pursue a new military campaign.

The approach does not completely rule out the use of force. The Trump administration has maintained that it could respond militarily if Iran attacks the United States, its forces or its interests.

US officials believe that the US Navy’s efforts to clear mines from most of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with increased tanker traffic through its southern section in recent weeks, have reduced Iran’s ability to influence global energy markets.

One US official told Axios: “The Iranians have lost control of the strait; now the US controls it.”

Targeting Iran’s Revenue

Washington is relying on sanctions and the naval blockade to restrict Iran’s access to vital sources of revenue, particularly oil exports.

US officials told Axios that little to no tanker activity had been recorded near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil-export hub, over the previous two weeks.

Tommy Pigott, a US State Department deputy spokesperson, told the website that Iran’s economy was deteriorating and its military was exhausted, while Washington was working to cut off the remaining financial channels available to the Iranian government.

He added that US President Donald Trump had made clear that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and that he would use the necessary tools to prevent this.

The policy comes alongside a wider US sanctions campaign targeting Iran’s oil and shipping industries, as well as informal banking and financial networks that Washington accuses of helping Tehran move funds and evade restrictions.

In recent months, the US Treasury Department has announced a series of sanctions against ships, companies and financial networks linked to Iran, saying the measures are intended to limit Tehran’s ability to generate, transfer and recover funds.

Pakistani Mediation Without Negotiations

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, travelled to Tehran on Sunday for talks with Iranian leaders, highlighting Pakistan’s role as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran since the beginning of the conflict, according to Axios.

The White House has said that no negotiations with Iran are currently taking place or planned. Axios quoted a US official as saying Washington was not negotiating with Tehran but was instead applying pressure, adding that sustained pressure could eventually encourage Iran to return to the negotiating table.

White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit US Central Command headquarters on Wednesday for briefings on the latest developments, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The shift towards sanctions and economic pressure does not signal an end to the confrontation. Rather, it suggests that Washington currently favours weakening Iran economically while retaining the option of military action should developments on the ground change.