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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

U.S. Department of State

Composite story

Rubio tells allies the U.S. is not planning new Iran strikes for now

The secretary of state told foreign ministers Washington will emphasize sanctions, a naval blockade and Hormuz oil flows “for the time being,” while leaving strikes on the table if Iran attacks first.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers in recent days that the United States is not expected to launch new strikes on Iran for the time being, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials. Washington is shifting emphasis to Treasury’s new sanctions campaign, a naval blockade and moving more oil through the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. forces said they had cleared mines. Officials said the pause in major combat could last at least until after the November midterms, and did not rule out strikes if Iran attacks first. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Iran’s economy is in free fall. Iran’s deputy foreign minister rejected U.S. mine-clearance claims.

Shared facts

The approach includes avoiding new military action for now.

It includes increasing economic pressure through the naval blockade and new Treasury sanctions.

Rubio made clear Washington was not planning a return to major combat operations.

Officials said the naval blockade was cutting Iran off from important revenue.

Strikes would remain an option if Iran attacks first.

It includes moving as much oil as possible through Hormuz into global markets.

A second official said the policy could remain in place at least until after the midterms.

Officials said Hormuz developments had weakened Iran's position in any future negotiations.

A U.S. official said Iranians have lost control of the strait and the U.S. now controls it.

The official said a new military campaign could again be considered after that.

Pigott said the Iranian economy is in free fall.

Almost no tankers were spotted at Kharg Island over the past two weeks.

Pigott said the regime's military has been decimated.

Pigott said Washington was cutting off Iran's remaining financial lifelines.

More tankers have been using the southern lane of the strait in recent weeks.

The White House said there were no current or scheduled negotiations with Iran.

Pigott said Trump remained committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and would use the tools necessary.

A U.S. official said Washington is not negotiating with Iran and is squeezing Tehran.

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir visited Tehran on Sunday for talks with Iranian leaders.

Al Arabiya reported Munir spoke with Trump before the visit and suggested a new proposal for Iran.

The official said the pressure could drive Iranians back to the table.

Pakistan has served as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran since the war began.

Officials said those developments made a potential Oman-Iran arrangement over the strait irrelevant.

The White House did not deny that Trump spoke with Munir.

Witkoff and Kushner are expected to visit U.S. Central Command on Wednesday for briefings.

Disputed facts

Gharibabadi asked why a U.S. ship does not pass through if mines have been completely cleared.

Axios

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

Barak Ravid

25 Aug 2026

Facts

No unique facts.

Opinion

The pause is another sign Trump is exasperated with the war and wants it over, at least for now.

Israel National News

Report: Rubio tells allies US is not planning new Iran strikes 'for the time being'

Israel National News

26 Aug 2026

Facts

Hegseth said Monday the administration is not ruling out using military force against Iran.

Hegseth said Iran cannot handle the economic pressure being put on it.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Middle East Monitor

Axios: Rubio rules out new strikes on Iran for now

Middle East Monitor

26 Aug 2026

Facts

No unique facts.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Washington Examiner

Rubio says US strikes on Iran paused 'for the time being' in lieu of economic war

Claire Carter

25 Aug 2026

Facts

Bessent announced Monday that the U.S. will expand economic sanctions on Iran.

Staff are being sent back to U.S. embassies in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait.

Bessent referred to the sanctions as the economic asphyxiation of this regime.

Diplomats were also sent back to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon.

The war has grown increasingly unpopular in the United States.

Pentagon leakers said the U.S. was running dangerously low on interceptor ammunition.

Sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were said to be living in dire conditions after an extended deployment.

Iran has launched drones since the start of the war in February.

Polls showed Trump's approval rating on a downward trend due to the Iran war.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

The Jerusalem Post

US halts Iran strikes 'for time being,' as focus shifts to economic sanctions, Rubio says - report

Miriam Sela-Eitam

26 Aug 2026

Facts

The campaign is called Operation Economic Outcast.

Bessent said the objective is to sever every economic lifeline until Tehran stands alone.

That followed earlier threats of an economic D-Day against the regime.

Bessent described the operation as a sustained campaign to collapse every last option for Iran.

He said anyone in economic cooperation with Tehran would face the full reach of American power.

He listed five initial targets: digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.

Bessent said Iran faces a choice between complete global isolation and a path to normalcy.

Bessent said the campaign would tighten the noose around Iran's funding sources and leave no breathing space.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Türkiye Today

Rubio tells allies US easing strikes, tightening pressure on Iran: Report

Newsroom

26 Aug 2026

Facts

He warned that U.S. minesweepers entering the area would be considered targets.

He said no one except Iran knows the location of these mines.

He said Trump's mine-clearance statements were intended to calm markets.

Opinion

No opinion marked.