US sanctions effective, no need for Iran strikes: Rubio

PARIS, Nov 10: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Washington's economic pressure on Iran was proving so effective that there was no need to resume major combat operations, as Qatar's prime minister joined European and Saudi diplomats in Paris for talks aimed at ending the conflict.

"The economic campaign (against Iran) is so devastating that right now there is no need for major combat operations," Rubio told reporters after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in the French capital. "That's what I told our allies here today."

Rubio said Washington would continue imposing what he described as "devastating" economic costs on Tehran, arguing that sanctions were limiting Iran's ability to finance its regional activities and allied groups. He also said the United States had options beyond restarting the war or accepting what he called unacceptable Iranian demands.

The remarks came as Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the conflict, joined talks on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting with the foreign ministers of Britain, Germany, Italy, France and Saudi Arabia.

Two European diplomats said the Qatari premier expressed cautious optimism during the Paris discussions that a diplomatic solution remained possible, avoiding another escalation of the conflict.

European officials have been urging Washington to avoid renewed military action against Iran and ensure shipping traffic can resume freely through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route.

Rubio's comments highlighted Washington's continued reliance on economic pressure despite divisions among Trump's advisers over the next steps. Some senior officials, including Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, support maintaining heavy economic pressure on Tehran. Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, favours reaching an agreement with Iran, according to a European diplomat. �"AGENCIES