Rubio says the U.S. has severely damaged Iran's economy and there is no need to restart large-scale military operations yet

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said today that the U.S.'s economic sanctions and other restrictive measures against Iran have been effective, so there is no need to restart large-scale military operations against Tehran at the moment.

Agence France-Presse reported that Rubio accepted a joint interview with the media after attending the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Group of Seven Major Industrial Countries (G7) in Paris: "The effect of economic sanctions on Iran is extremely devastating, so there is no need for large-scale military action at the moment. This is the message I am here to convey to our allies today."

Rubio pointed out that U.S. President Trump "has concluded that large-scale military action is not needed at this time because we are achieving the same strategic goals through economic means."

Rubio pointed out that if Iran crosses the "red line", "the US military is ready", and he warned Tehran will pay a heavy price for this.

During the foreign ministers' meeting, G7 European member states pressured Rubio to avoid taking any action against Iran that would further escalate the situation.

"There is tremendous economic pain being inflicted on Iran and its established regime, and it continues to increase every day," Rubio said, noting that the U.S.-imposed naval blockade was depleting Iran's oil supplies.

"This radical regime of lunatics is inflicting this suffering on its own people," he said of the Islamic Republic's clerical leadership.

However, Rubio does not seem optimistic about the prospects of an agreement between the United States and Iran. He believes that Iran does not seem to be pragmatic in negotiations.

"Iran really wants to make a deal, but the problem is that they keep putting forward ridiculous and insincere conditions. But that could change."

Rubio added: "At the end of the day, you need food and you need to pay the soldiers and the security forces. I believe that as time goes by, these will have an impact...The economic reality will eventually penetrate the head of the most radical lunatic." (Compiler: Hong Qiyuan) 1151111