Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:14am on 26 Aug 2026,Wednesday International
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told foreign officials that the United States does not plan to launch new strikes on Iran “for the time being,” according to Axios, citing a US official and another source familiar with the matter. Instead, Washington is focusing on economic pressure through a new sanctions initiative and a naval blockade that the US believes is squeezing Iran, while American forces move increasing amounts of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The shift may indicate that President Donald Trump wants the conflict to wind down. However, military action has not been ruled out entirely. Rubio reportedly left open the possibility of strikes if Iran attacks the US first. (PC: Times now)
