Trump said Friday he has paused a potential strike on Iranian power infrastructure to allow space for negotiations. “Iran is being decimated,” Trump said, adding, “We are talking now. They want to make a deal.”

The conflict, which began on Feb. 28 with joint U.S. and Israeli operations, has resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian leaders. Rubio said the U.S. has also deployed additional forces to the region to provide military options as the situation develops.

Iranian officials have accused Israel of carrying out strikes on nuclear facilities and major industrial sites, including steel plants. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Tehran would impose a “heavy price” in response.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened retaliation against infrastructure tied to the U.S. and Israel. The group said it could target industrial and energy-related assets across the region.

The G7 nations called for restoring full navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has moved to restrict. The waterway is a critical global energy route, with roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it.

Rubio said there are reports Iran has begun charging some vessels for safe passage through the strait. Iranian lawmakers are also reportedly considering legislation tied to those restrictions.