U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told several allied foreign ministers in recent days that the United States does not currently expect to launch new strikes against Iran, instead opting to focus on other forms of pressure, including sanctions and economic measures.
According to Axios, Rubio conveyed this assessment to foreign ministers of U.S. allies, citing a U.S. official and another source familiar with the matter.
Nearly six months after the conflict began, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new punitive measures against Iran on Monday, although the measures fell short of what could be described as the harshest possible sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions targeting 60 individuals, entities and vessels, but the list did not include any Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iranian oil trade.
The United States and Iran reached ceasefire agreements twice, in April and June, aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to end the conflict, which has continued for nearly six months. Both agreements, however, quickly collapsed.
Source: (AFP)
