Rubio says no need for major combat operations against Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized democracies in Paris on November 9, two days after Republicans suffered a significant defeat in the U.S. midterm elections. The talks focused on unresolved crises such as the conflict in Ukraine and tensions with Iran. European foreign ministers pressed Rubio to ensure any settlement of Russia’s war in Ukraine is fair to Kyiv and to avoid further escalation with Iran. On November 10, Rubio told G-7 foreign ministers that the United States would continue imposing "devastating" economic sanctions on Iran, asserting there was no need for major combat operations against the country given the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions and naval blockade measures.