U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that American forces have concluded the active offensive phase of military operations against Iran, transitioning to a new mission aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz.
During a briefing at the White House, Rubio stated, “Operation Epic Fury is complete. We have achieved its objectives. As the President informed Congress, we have finished this phase. We are moving on to Project Freedom.” This operation lasted 66 days and involved coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran.
The conclusion of Operation Epic Fury allows the Trump administration to navigate potential legal challenges, as the War Powers Act restricts military action without Congressional approval to 60 days, a timeframe that has now elapsed.
The White House is now viewing the ongoing U.S. military presence as a distinct operation under the name Project Freedom, which aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, over 1,550 commercial vessels, carrying approximately 22,000 sailors, are trapped in the Persian Gulf due to blockades in the strait.
Rubio emphasized the necessity for the U.S. to act, stating, “We are the only nation on Earth capable of opening the lane in the Strait of Hormuz to export products and rescue people who are trapped there.” He indicated that President Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and seeks to establish a memorandum of understanding with Tehran.
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected calls for renewed dialogue. He remarked, “The issue is that the U.S., while pursuing a policy of maximum pressure on our country, simultaneously expects the Islamic Republic of Iran to sit at the negotiating table and ultimately submit to their unilateral demands. This is an impossible equation.”
In the briefing, Rubio characterized Iran as an aggressor and the U.S. as a leader in global efforts to contain the rogue state. With Iran dismissing negotiations, U.S. military forces will independently work to create a corridor for commercial vessels.
Rubio outlined the objective: “The goal here is quite simple: to create a transit zone protected by a sort of ‘dome’ provided by the U.S., utilizing both naval and air forces, and then allow vessels that wish to pass through it to reach markets, thereby restoring confidence in safe navigation.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, transitioning to Project Freedom to secure the Strait of Hormuz. This shift follows the completion of military objectives and aims to address the blockade affecting thousands of commercial vessels in the region.