President Donald Trump is pursuing an open-ended campaign of economic pressure against Iran rather than launching a renewed military campaign or accepting Iran’s current demands.
According to sources speaking to Axios, the president had considered two conflicting options: either a major re-escalation or a negotiated settlement.
Donald Trump at Rally Creative Commons Photo
Donald Trump 2023 Rally Creative Commons Photo
However, with Iranian conditions to end the war deemed “outrageous and ridiculous” by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a third option to prolong the status quo could define the future of the war.
Economic Campaign Looks Set to Continue
Rubio told G7 foreign ministers in Paris on Tuesday that Trump did not have to choose between restarting a major offensive and accepting an unfavorable agreement, according to Axios, citing three people in the room.
“The president doesn’t just have two options,” Rubio reportedly explained. “It’s not just return to war or sign a ridiculous peace deal. We won’t do a stupid deal. The third option we have is to continue to do what we do now.”
Rubio added that the economic sanctions and ongoing naval blockade were continuing to disrupt the Iranian economy, limiting its ability to fund terrorist groups or rebuild its armed forces.
“The president is not under false time pressure. The Iranians are inflicting major damage on their own economy,” Rubio continued.
Speaking to reporters after the G7 meeting, Rubio asserted that the economic campaign would not amount to a stalemate, adding: “The economic pain that is being inflicted on Iran right now is extraordinary, and it compounds. It’s growing every day.”
Diplomatic Deal Remains Unlikely
The secretary of state departed for Paris on Sunday, telling reporters that negotiations with Tehran had been unproductive.
“I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough,” Rubio said. “The president would always prefer to solve this and every problem diplomatically. Sometimes that’s not possible, unfortunately, but if there’s a chance to do it, we’ll explore it.”
He continued: “Right now, it hasn’t been very productive, because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable, but, in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous, and really not realistic.”
Rubio made similar remarks after the G7 meetings. “Iran would love a deal. The problem is the conditions they keep imposing are absurd. Like, they’re not even serious right now,” he told reporters.
However, a change of approach could happen if the economic pressure on Iran grows.
“Eventually you have to eat,” Rubio said. “Eventually the economic realities penetrate the skull of even the most radical lunatic. So, I think as time goes on that will have an impact.”
Rubio’s Remarks Are Not Isolated
On Monday, Trump told reporters that a resumption of major strikes was “highly unlikely” after weeks of threatening a return to the bombardment seen in the war’s initial weeks following the midterm elections.
At an impromptu press conference following a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House, Trump said that “Iran, militarily, is effectively over,” and that there is “positive momentum” behind ongoing discussions to end a conflict that is now into its ninth month.
“We’re just keeping it the status quo,” the president said. “And we’re doing that really at the behest of countries that are their neighbors.”
While a renewed military offensive against Iran remains “highly unlikely,” Trump said the U.S. was “locked and loaded” should further strikes be required.
Iranian Leader Demands an End to Current Situation
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been publicly seen since the war began at the end of February, has reportedly told senior officials to end the current status quo.
“The supreme leader ordered us to end the no-war, no-peace situation,” said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week. “We can hold talks with dignity and bring the matter to an end with dignity.”
Pezeshkian is believed to be one of the senior officials in favor of a resolution to lift the economic embargoes that have been in place for months. At an event on Monday, he reiterated that the country would “not surrender to force and bullying.” He also called for greater energy conservation to limit the effect of the ongoing economic pressure.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
