US sanctions and blockade deterring Iran, Rubio says

Rubio dismissed concerns that avoiding military engagement constitutes a standstill, emphasizing the significant economic hardship Iran is currently experiencing. He noted that this assessment is supported by feedback from regional partners in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump recently announced a postponement of planned military strikes against Iran, following discussions with regional leaders, including Qatar’s prime minister.

“We don’t need to conduct military strikes if we’re achieving the same objective through economic means and economic pressure. That’s not stalemate,” Rubio asserted. He highlighted Iran’s unprecedented inability to sell energy on the global market.

Sources indicate that several of Trump’s advisors, including White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, also favor prioritizing economic pressure over military intervention. Vice President JD Vance reportedly supports a negotiated agreement with Iran, although Trump currently believes a viable deal is unattainable.

The White House has not provided a comment on this matter.

President Trump has attributed the Republican losses in the recent midterm congressional elections, in part, to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Vance, considered a potential future leader, was more direct, stating that the war was the primary cause of the electoral defeat.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran for many years, primarily targeting oil revenue, weapons procurement, and funding for entities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. While Iran has previously endured these sanctions, the US-imposed naval blockade has caused substantial economic harm.