US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that no further American military action against Iran is necessary, arguing that the economic pressure imposed by Washington has already dealt a severe blow to the country.
Speaking at an event organised by the Federalist Society, a US think tank, in Washington on Friday, Rubio said the economic pressure on what he described as a “weakened Islamic Republic” was so intense that further military action was no longer required.
“Frankly, the level of economic pressure we are now putting on that weakened Islamic Republic is so intense that no military action is necessary because we have weakened them,” Rubio said.
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However, he stressed that a genuine victory would only be achieved when the United States could ensure that Iran would never possess nuclear weapons.
Economic Costs of the Iran War
Rubio acknowledged that the conflict with Iran had imposed economic hardships on Americans, particularly through rising energy prices.
He noted that higher fuel costs had affected almost every sector of the US and global economies.
Nevertheless, the secretary of state defended the Trump administration’s decision to engage in the conflict, arguing that it was necessary to protect the security of the United States and its citizens.
“President Trump could have easily ignored the threat of Iran’s nuclear programme, avoided an unpopular war and left the issue for the next administration,” Rubio said.
“But the president decided that he would not leave this problem unresolved because it concerns the security of the United States and the American people.”
From Military Campaign to Economic Pressure
The United States launched military operations against Iran on February 28. Following nearly six months of military confrontation, Washington suspended its attacks on August 24 and launched an economic campaign against Tehran under the name ‘Operation Economic Outcast’.
As part of the campaign, the United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, sought to halt the country’s oil exports and introduced unprecedented economic sanctions.
In response, Iran intensified its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international trade and energy shipping route.
Ships attempting to navigate the strait despite the restrictions have reportedly faced attacks involving Iranian drones, missiles and naval mines.
Rising Maritime Security Concerns
The ongoing confrontation has also raised serious concerns about maritime security across the Middle East.
According to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), approximately 134 incidents had been reported in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle Eastern maritime region as of November 11.
The incidents have resulted in the deaths of 25 seafarers, while several others have been injured or remain missing.
The continuing economic and maritime confrontation highlights the wider consequences of the US-Iran conflict for international trade, energy supplies and regional security.
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