U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran will pay a “terrible price” if it decides to escalate the conflict and initiate military action against the United States or its regional partners. Speaking to reporters in Paris on November 10, following a meeting of G7 foreign ministers, Rubio said American forces remain prepared to respond if Tehran crosses certain red lines. His warning came as the Trump administration continues applying economic pressure through sanctions and a naval blockade targeting Iran’s ability to export oil and generate revenue. Rubio argued that these measures are inflicting such severe economic damage that President Donald Trump currently has no need to authorize major additional combat operations. “If Iran decides to escalate and they decide to initiate military action, I don’t need to tell you what will happen as a result of it,” Rubio said. He described the economic campaign as increasingly effective while emphasizing that Washington has not ruled out military action if circumstances change.

Rubio also rejected the suggestion that the current situation represents a stalemate, arguing that the economic pressure on Tehran is continuing to intensify rather than remain unchanged. He said the sanctions and blockade are restricting Iran’s access to international oil markets, with the administration expecting the financial impact to grow as remaining oil shipments are exhausted and sanctions-evasion networks are disrupted. At the same time, Rubio acknowledged that diplomatic efforts remain possible, although he described Iran’s current negotiating demands as “absurd” and said Washington was not prepared to accept an agreement on those terms. His remarks followed President Trump’s decision to hold off on additional strikes for the time being while maintaining pressure on Iran and protecting international shipping. The warning also comes amid continuing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, where threats to commercial shipping have raised concerns about wider regional escalation. Rubio’s message was that the United States intends to maintain economic pressure and military readiness simultaneously, leaving Tehran facing the possibility of further consequences if it initiates another military confrontation.