US pauses fresh military action against Iran, turns to sanctions and maritime pressure

The US does not intend to carry out further military strikes on Iran “for now,” secretary of state Marco Rubio has informed the foreign ministers of several allied countries, Axios reported, citing American officials.Instead, the Trump administration plans to intensify pressure on Tehran through other measures, including Washington’s ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.“Rubio conveyed America’s plan to avoid initiating new military strikes against Tehran ‘for the time being’. Instead, the administration aims to intensify pressure through naval blockades and economic measures while maintaining the flow of petroleum through the vital Strait of Hormuz,” officials told Axios.However, officials stressed that the US has not ruled out military action if Tehran strikes first. They described the strategic shift as “significant”, arguing that Iran’s ability to disrupt maritime energy flows through the strait has been “substantially reduced."According to the report, the policy could remain in place at least through the November midterm elections, after which Washington could consider resuming military action.Washington maintains that its operations near the Strait of Hormuz have “drastically” weakened one of Iran’s key tools for “manipulating” global energy markets. US forces have been clearing mines from the waterway, contributing to increased tanker traffic along its southern route.The Strait of Hormuz has been under a virtual Iranian blockade since March, following US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic that triggered the wider Middle East conflict. In response, the US imposed a blockade of Iranian ports.Rubio’s reported remarks come as the US steps up its economic pressure on Iran, which the Trump administration has termed an “Economic D-Day”. Washington has imposed additional sanctions and warned foreign countries doing business with Iran that they could face severe penalties.Tehran has rejected the US strategy, calling efforts to isolate its financial system unlawful. Global oil prices fell for a second consecutive day as traders appeared to factor in limited immediate disruption from the latest sanctions warnings.Amid the tensions, Iran and Oman held talks on managing maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides discussed establishing a temporary navigation corridor and agreed to jointly clear mines from the waterway, which has remained largely closed to normal commercial shipping.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.