[Video] Rubio in Paris Says Economic Pressure on Iran Is Working, No Need for Major Combat Operations
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Paris, France, on November 10, after the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, that he had told G7 allies that U.S. economic sanctions and the naval blockade against Iran are working so well that President Donald Trump does not need to conduct major combat operations in Iran. The U.S. Department of State's official channel released the full video of the press remarks the same day.
According to Reuters, Rubio repeatedly pushed back on the assertion that not returning to military action would amount to a stalemate. "The economic pain that is being inflicted on Iran right now is extraordinary and it compounds. It's growing every day," he said, adding that Trump had also received input from regional allies in the Middle East confirming that assessment.
"We don't need to conduct military strikes if we're achieving the same objective through economic means and economic pressure. That's not stalemate," Rubio said. "Never has Iran ever faced the inability to sell energy in the global market like they are today."
On November 9, Trump said he plans to hold off on new military strikes against Iran for the time being, after appeals from countries in the region, including Qatar's prime minister in talks at the White House.
On Ukraine, according to Bloomberg, Rubio said at the same press remarks that the United States is closely aligned with Europe in trying to end Russia's war in Ukraine. "We know where we stand: on Ukraine's side. We are supporting Ukraine militarily, financially and in the energy sector, while continuing to exert sustained pressure on Russia through our sanctions and our efforts to combat the shadow fleet," he said. Earlier that day in Paris, Rubio had met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to discuss negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, energy resilience and defense cooperation.
Rubio also defended Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the press remarks. According to CNN, responding to articles of impeachment filed against Hegseth, Rubio said Hegseth had "done a great job" and that he works with him every day and sees a side of him that the media and members of Congress may not see.
(Source: U.S. Department of State)
Source: U.S. Department of State
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：国务卿卢比奥在巴黎七国集团外长会后向记者讲话（美国国务院官方视频封面） / Photo: Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press after the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Paris (cover image from the U.S. Department of State official video)
