Rubio Declares Operation Epic Fury Against Iran ‘Has Concluded’

US Secretary of State Rubio announces the conclusion of the military campaign against Iran.

The United States has concluded its offensive military campaign against Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Operation Epic Fury has met its goals.

On Tuesday, Rubio addressed the White House, declaring the conclusion of the operation that initiated the recent conflict with Iran and confirming the commencement of a new defensive phase aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz.

“The operation, Epic Fury, has come to a close.” “We accomplished the goals of that operation,” Rubio stated.

“This marks the initial step toward the reopening of the strait,” he added. “We are undertaking this not merely at the request of others, but because we are uniquely positioned to do so.”

The announcement was made as President Donald Trump revealed that a new defensive initiative called Project Freedom would be temporarily halted to provide additional time for negotiations with Iran.

Trump stated on Truth Social that the operation would be paused for a “short period of time” in response to requests from Pakistan and other nations seeking a diplomatic resolution.

The US administration, nonetheless, upheld pressure on Tehran regarding ongoing assaults on commercial shipping and American forces in the area.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the new defensive operation was initiated in reaction to what he referred to as “international extortion” by Iran.

“We are not seeking conflict, but Iran must not be permitted to obstruct innocent nations and their goods from accessing an international waterway,” Hegseth stated.

He maintained that the ceasefire between both countries was still in effect, even amid ongoing tensions.

“The ceasefire remains in effect,” Hegseth stated.

Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that Iran has targeted commercial vessels nine times since the ceasefire was implemented, seized two container ships, and launched over 10 attacks on US forces.

“All of these instances,” he stated, are “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point.”

US officials report that over 1,550 vessels are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global trade and energy supplies.

In the Oval Office, Trump issued a warning to Iran regarding any further attacks.

“They are aware of the necessary actions.” “They understand what not to do, and that’s even more significant,” Trump stated.

The president also recognized the ongoing harassment of vessels by Iranian boats.

“They are searching for small vessels to attempt to rival our formidable Navy,” Trump stated.

Rubio stated that diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program are still in progress, even though advancements have been minimal.

“The president’s preference is for a deal,” Rubio stated. “As of now, that is not the direction Iran has opted for.”

Hegseth revealed that two US commercial vessels, accompanied by Navy destroyers, had successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz.

“It is clear that the Iranians feel a sense of embarrassment regarding this situation,” Hegseth stated. “They claimed to have control over the strait.” They do not.

He cautioned Iran to refrain from any additional assaults on US personnel or commercial ships.

“To what remains of Iran’s forces: Should you choose to attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, be prepared to encounter overwhelming and devastating American firepower,” Hegseth stated. “The president has expressed this quite clearly.”

Mohammed Ghalibaf, the Iranian parliamentary speaker, has accused the United States and its allies of exacerbating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Certainly, their malevolence will wane,” Ghalibaf stated on X. “We are acutely aware that maintaining the current situation is unacceptable for America, even as we have not yet made a start.”

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted missile and drone threats for the second consecutive day since the ceasefire commenced.