{
  "id": 3437701,
  "title": "US halts Iran strikes 'for time being,' as focus shifts to economic sanctions, Rubio says - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/us-halts-iran-strikes-for-time-being-as-focus-shifts-to-economic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T05:56:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-906609"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States has decided to suspend military strikes on Iran for now, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent remarks to foreign counterparts. Instead, the country plans to apply economic pressure on Iran through initiatives such as Operation Economic Outcast, announced this week by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This strategy aims to sever the remaining financial lifelines of the Iranian regime, with the goal of compelling Tehran to capitulate or face complete isolation. The US Navy has also cleared mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that Iran previously controlled, giving the US control over the region. While the Trump administration's policy is set to last until after the US midterm elections on November 3, there is a possibility of a renewed military offensive if Iran strikes the US first. The US State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott emphasized that the Iranian economy is collapsing, and the regime's military has been significantly weakened. The administration has made it clear that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon and will employ all necessary measures to achieve this objective.",
  "summary": "Operation Economic Outcast was announced on Monday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following earlier threats of an \"economic D-Day\" against the regime.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "US Treasury sanctions on Iran’s trade partners",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/us-treasury-sanctions-on-irans-trade-partners",
        "published": "2026-08-26T04:29:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'No New Strikes': Rubio Tells Allies As US Shifts Focus To Iran Sanctions, Hormuz Pressure",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/no-new-strikes-rubio-tells-allies-as-us-shifts-focus-to-iran",
        "published": "2026-08-26T07:32:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Iran economic sanctions leading to extremist regime elements gaining power, dissident says - report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/iran-economic-sanctions-leading-to-extremist-regime-elements-gaining",
        "published": "2026-08-26T07:50:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}