US to Step Up Economic Pressure on Iran, Says Marco Rubio

Washington: The United States will intensify economic pressure on Iran as sanctions continue to cripple its oil revenues, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Rubio said Iran had only a limited number of oil shipments remaining at sea that had bypassed restrictions during a brief ceasefire. Once these stocks are exhausted, almost all of the country’s oil revenue could dry up.

He said Washington was tightening sanctions enforcement with the help of intelligence agencies to prevent Tehran from circumventing restrictions.

Rubio described Iran as facing an unprecedented economic crisis and accused its leadership of inflicting hardship on its own people.

While Iran may express willingness to negotiate, its proposed conditions are unacceptable, he said, adding that Tehran was not currently demonstrating serious intent to reach an agreement.

However, Rubio said the US remained open to negotiations if a genuine and mutually acceptable deal was possible.