US shifting from military strikes to economic sanctions on Iran, Rubio tells allies

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told several allied foreign ministers in recent days that the United States does not currently plan to initiate fresh military strikes against Iran.

According to Axios, Washington is reorienting its strategy to focus on a combined naval blockade and newly announced economic sanctions to choke Tehran's revenue streams.

Why is the US pausing direct military strikes on Iran?

Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the Trump administration's revised posture during phone calls with foreign counterparts, confirming that Washington will avoid initiating major combat operations "for the time being" unless Iran attacks first. U.S. officials indicated that this policy is expected to remain in effect at least through the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

The strategic pivot relies on the U.S. Navy's successful clearing of naval mines from key passages in the Strait of Hormuz, enabling increased commercial tanker traffic through the waterway. Administration officials asserted that restoring oil transit through the southern lane of the strait has effectively neutralized one of Tehran's primary geopolitical leverage points over global energy markets.

According to Axios, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that Washington is actively cutting off the regime's remaining financial lifelines while maintaining President Donald Trump's core mandate that Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon.

How is the US applying economic pressure and handling diplomacy?

The shift in U.S. strategy emphasizes a double-barreled economic campaign that combines a strict U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports with an expanded Treasury Department sanctions initiative. U.S. officials reported that the blockade has severely crippled Iranian commerce, noting virtually no tanker activity at Kharg Island, Iran's primary crude export hub, over recent weeks.

Concurrently, diplomatic efforts involving regional intermediaries continue in the background. Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, traveled to Tehran following a consultation with President Trump to present a potential diplomatic proposal.