Rubio warns Iran oil revenue will dry up

US warns Iran oil revenue will dry up

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran could lose almost all oil revenue as US sanctions and efforts to block Iranian oil shipments intensify.

“almost all of their oil revenue will dry up”

Iran's oil shipments at risk

Rubio said Iran had only a handful of oil shipments left at sea that had escaped the US blockade during the brief ceasefire and the period covered by the memorandum of understanding.

US targeting sanctions evasion

The US treasury department, led by Scott Bessent, is working with intelligence agencies to shut down channels Iran uses to bypass sanctions, including alternative trading arrangements involving asian markets.

Economic pressure described as extraordinary

Rubio described the economic pressure on Iran as 'extraordinary', saying the impact of sanctions would continue to compound.

“extraordinary”

Iranian leadership accused

Rubio accused Tehran's leadership of bringing the crisis upon its own people, calling it a 'radical regime of lunatics'.

“radical regime of lunatics”

Iranian policies blamed

He alleged that iran's policies were 'destroying their own country'.

“destroying their own country”

US military stance

Washington has indicated it is not planning to resume large-scale strikes on Iran for now.

Limited strikes on Qeshm Island

American forces carried out limited strikes on Iranian air defense and radar installations on Qeshm Island in recent days.

Diplomatic deadlock

Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain deadlocked, with the US and Iran holding sharply different positions on the conditions for a peace agreement.

Iran's peace proposal

Iran has proposed resuming negotiations within two days but wants Washington to first lift its naval blockade, ease sanctions and agree to end hostilities across all fronts.

Iranian foreign ministry response

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended the proposal, calling it the most reasonable offer on the table.

Rubio dismisses Iran's conditions

Rubio dismissed Tehran's conditions as 'outrageous and ridiculous', saying Iran was not serious about reaching a deal.

“outrageous and ridiculous”

US economic pressure campaign

Rubio said the US economic pressure campaign and naval blockade were already inflicting significant damage on Tehran.

No immediate military action needed

Rubio argued that the economic pressure campaign and naval blockade were sufficient to cause significant damage without immediate military operations.