U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday (November 11, 2026) that there was no need to attack Iran again, as diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict were gaining momentum. Tehran has urged Washington to accept its demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Following President Donald Trump’s earlier comment about “positive progress” toward resolving the eight-month war, Rubio emphasized that the U.S. economic campaign against Iran had been so effective that major military operations were unnecessary. He made this statement during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Paris.
Iran’s blockade of Hormuz, a critical route for Gulf oil shipments, has driven up oil prices, contributing to the Republican Party’s losses in the recent midterm elections. Washington has countered by imposing its own restrictions on Iranian ports and implementing an “economic asphyxiation” campaign aimed at strangulating Iran financially.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called for intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, warning of further economic harm if the situation remains unresolved. He stressed the need to address the ongoing stalemate, which has caused significant economic pain.
After their midterm election defeat, Washington appears to have toned down its threats of renewed military action. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supported the war alongside Trump and advocated for Iran’s “existential elimination,” acknowledged the shifting diplomatic landscape.
Tehran remains open to reopening Hormuz if Washington meets certain conditions, including ending the war, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions, and ceasing port blockades. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that military action or increased sanctions would not resolve the conflict, emphasizing the need for respectful diplomacy.
Meanwhile, attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz continue. The UAE reported damage to one of its ships in its territorial waters, while a British maritime agency noted an attack on a tanker off Oman’s coast. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported three oil tankers on fire in the strait, though it remains unclear if these were the same incidents.
In summary, while diplomatic efforts intensify, the situation around Hormuz remains tense, with both sides holding firm to their demands and conditions for peace.