Baba UmarWashington DC — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that Operation Epic Fury — the name the US gave to the joint US‑Israel attacks on Iran — has concluded, stressing its core objectives were achieved and emphasising that US is not seeking to resume combat or escalate the situation further.
"The operation is over. Epic Fury, the President (Trump) notified Congress. We are done with that stage of it," Rubio, who was filling in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, told reporters during an intense and at times chaotic White House press briefing on Tuesday.
Rubio said during the operation US destroyed Iran's short-range ballistic missile capabilities, launchers, factories, and navy so Tehran could no longer "build a shield behind which they could hide their nuclear programme."
He called this "a very substantial achievement and that was the purpose of this operation from day one.
Rubio emphasised that the US is not looking to resume combat or escalate further, but is now shifting to "Project Freedom" to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz through defensive escorts for vessels.
The Iranian government did not issue an immediate reaction to the comments made by Rubio.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically when the US and Israel launched war against Iran on February 28.
This triggered retaliatory strikes from Tehran targeting US forces, Israel, and America’s Gulf allies, along with significant disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire mediated by Pakistan took effect on April 8. But, subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement.
The truce was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump. Since April 13, the US has imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.
Rubio said the US action is severely damaging Iran’s economy at a cost of approximately $430 million per day.
Strait of Hormuz operation
Rubio characterised "Project Freedom" as a defensive operation, distinct from Epic Fury.
"This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation," Rubio said.
"And what that means is very simple — there's no shooting unless we're shot at first. We are only responding if attacked first."
The briefing occurred amid recent US-Iran exchanges of fire in the key waterway, Strait of Hormuz, but Rubio stressed that a ceasefire remains in place and Epic Fury’s military phase has ended.
Rubio warned Iran over its blockade of the Hormuz, saying: "The Straits of Hormuz do not belong to Iran. They don't have a right to shut it down and blow up ships and lay mines. And that's what they've done. That needs to be addressed... It cannot be normalised."
Rubio also charged at Iran’s leadership, called them "insane in the brain" and also alluded to Ice Cube lyrics, warning Tehran to "check yourself before you wreck yourself."
The top US diplomat warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would be catastrophic, potentially closing the strait indefinitely and triggering a global surge in fuel prices.
He linked the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to Iran’s nuclear programme, noting that the US had already eliminated Iran’s ability to hide behind a "shield" regarding its nuclear ambitions.
Rubio also warned that Iran "really shouldn’t test the will of the US, at least not under President Donald Trump."
Asked if US is any closer to getting rid of Iran’s nuclear material, Rubio delivered a lengthy response, saying: "I think the president been clear that part of the negotiation process has to be not just the enrichment, but what happens to this material that’s buried deep somewhere that they still have access to if they ever wanted to dig it out. That has to be addressed. And that’s being addressed in the negotiation. I’m not going to go further on what progress has been made on that topic because I don’t want to endanger the negotiations."
'100 percent unconstitutional'
Rubio also said that he disagreed with the 1973 War Powers Act, which requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops and to seek authorization after 60 days.
"We don't acknowledge the law as constitutional. Nonetheless, we comply with elements of it for purposes of maintaining good relations with Congress," he said.
The act requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and to seek approval after 60 days.
However, Rubio stressed that the Trump administration has fully complied with the law, including notifying Congress, the Gang of Eight, and congressional leadership within the required 48 hours after the start of hostilities.
