US pauses fresh military action against Iran, turns to sanctions and maritime pressure

US secretary of state Marco Rubio (File photo)The US does not intend to carry out further military strikes on Iran “for now,” secretary of state Marco Rubio has informed the foreign ministers of several allied countries, Axios reported, citing American officials.Instead, the Trump administration plans to intensify pressure on Tehran through other measures, including Washington’s ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports.“Rubio conveyed America’s plan to avoid initiating new military strikes against Tehran ‘for the time being’. Instead, the administration aims to intensify pressure through naval blockades and economic measures while maintaining the flow of petroleum through the vital Strait of Hormuz,” officials told Axios.However, officials stressed that the US has not ruled out military act