Rubio Warns Countries Against Helping Iran Evade Sanctions After Modi-Pezeshkian Meet

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected reports that India and Iran are moving towards a trade agreement following.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Speaking on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Rubio said he was not aware of any such deal between New Delhi and Tehran. At the same time, he warned countries against helping Iran circumvent US sanctions, saying those that assist Tehran in generating revenue could themselves face American penalties.

• “I don’t think there’s a trade deal between India and Iran,” Rubio said.
• Rubio Warns Against Helping Iran Evade Sanctions

Rubio acknowledged that countries have their own foreign policies and regularly engage with the Iranian government. He noted that the US itself has maintained contact with Iranian representatives during diplomatic discussions.

However, he reiterated President Donald Trump’s warning that countries should not create mechanisms that allow Iran to bypass sanctions or generate funds that Washington believes could be used to support militant groups or Iran’s nuclear programme.

“No country should be helping Iran evade sanctions,” Rubio said, adding that countries choosing to do so could also face sanctions from Washington.

US Maintains Tough Line On Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Rubio said preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a key priority for the Trump administration.

He said Washington would continue using economic pressure as its primary tool against Tehran but maintained that the US could resort to military action if necessary.

According to Rubio, Iran would continue to face economic consequences as long as it pursued or claimed an intention to develop a nuclear weapon. He also accused Tehran of directing financial resources towards supporting armed groups and its nuclear ambitions rather than improving conditions for its population.

US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Rubio’s comments come amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran following heavy fighting in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump said American forces had carried out a “very heavy attack” on Iranian targets and indicated that further military action remained possible.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have warned that Tehran has adopted a new strategy in response to the conflict and US economic pressure.

Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Iran’s approach would focus on the battlefield, diplomacy and confronting the economic blockade.

The Trump administration has continued to signal that it will intensify economic pressure on Iran while warning countries and businesses that assist Tehran that they could face US sanctions.