PARIS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told G7 foreign ministers on Tuesday that the US would keep imposing "devastating" economic costs on Iran, saying it had options beyond war or agreeing to unacceptable Iranian demands, four G7 diplomats said.
Rubio's comments came during a meeting in Paris of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven, which comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union.
The diplomats said Rubio had used strong language to describe the Iranian authorities. Two said he had referred to them as "lunatics".
The diplomats quoted Rubio as saying that, rather than resuming the war or accepting Iran's demands, Washington's current policy of tough economic sanctions is working and is limiting Tehran's ability to fund its regional activities and proxies.
"Rubio said that they will continue with... (imposing) devastating economic operating costs on Iran," said one of the diplomats, who all spoke on condition of anonymity.
Rubio's comments came a day after US President Donald Trump said he planned to hold off on new military strikes against Iran for the time being after appeals from countries in the region, including from Qatar's prime minister in White House talks.
Trump also said he plans to keep up a naval blockade on Iran in the…
