Secretary of State Marco Rubio told G7 foreign ministers in Paris on Tuesday that the economic campaign against Iran is so devastating that there is no need for major combat operations right now, the clearest statement yet that Washington is stepping back from renewed strikes as diplomacy gathers pace. President Trump said hours earlier that he saw positive momentum toward ending the eight-month war, and Qatar and Pakistan are leading mediation efforts, with Tehran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, on conditions including an end to the US port blockade and the lifting of oil sanctions, still on the table. Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called at the same meeting for an all-out diplomatic effort to end the conflict and get Hormuz properly reopened.
Rubio sees no need for major operations against Iran
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Paris on Tuesday that the economic campaign against Iran is so devastating that there is no need for major combat operations, as G7 diplomacy on ending the war gathered pace.
Why it matters: The remarks are the clearest signal yet that Washington is tapering strike threats after the midterm defeat and leaning on economic pressure and Qatari and Pakistani mediation to end the eight-month war.
Data as of Remarks at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris, November 10, 2026, reported by AFP via Arab News and by Al Jazeera the same day.
Sources
- Rubio says 'no need' to attack Iran as diplomacy gathers pace - AFP via Arab News - 2026-11-10
- Rubio says no need for major combat operations against Iran - Al Jazeera - 2026-11-10