No Need for Major Military Action Against Iran, Says Rubio; Ready for Talks

PARIS: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the effects of economic pressure on Iran have begun to show, and that Washington is seeking to prevent Tehran from gaining the financial resources it needs for what he described as its alleged destabilising activities.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Rubio said Iran needs resources for its nuclear programme and for what he alleged was financial support for terrorism. According to him, the more limited Iran’s financial resources are, the less money it will be able to spend on those activities.

The US Secretary of State said there was no need for further large-scale military operations against Iran. If the desired objectives are being achieved through economic measures, he said, the United States will not need to carry out further military strikes.

According to Rubio, Washington is prepared to pursue diplomacy to end its ongoing dispute with Iran, but Tehran’s current demands are entirely unrealistic. He expressed the hope that Iran would revise its demands.

Rubio said that if Tehran changes its position, Washington is ready to advance diplomatic efforts. He said the United States would continue its policy of limiting Iran’s activities through economic pressure, while also keeping the path to a diplomatic solution open.