US not planning new strikes on Iran - report

The United States is not planning new attacks on Iran any time soon as it will focus on other means of pressure on Tehran, including using sanctions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told top diplomats from a number of countries.

"Rubio made clear that the U.S. isn't planning a return to major combat operations," but "he didn't rule out strikes if Iran attacks first," Axios reported.

Instead, U.S. officials said that Washington will focus on putting more economic pressure on Iran through the sanctions and naval blockade, as well as "moving ever-increasing amounts of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz."

This is expected to be the Trump administration’s policy at least until after the November 3 midterm elections, a U.S. official said. The U.S. is currently not negotiating with Iran as it believes that "the pressure could drive the Iranians back to the table," a U.S. official said.