Rubio Declares ‘Epic Fury’ Over as Strait of Hormuz Attacks Test Fragile Ceasefire

(SeaPRwire) –   Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Tuesday that Operation Epic Fury—the roughly two-month military campaign that triggered a U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran—has concluded, though the status of a fragile ceasefire remains uncertain amid ongoing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The operation is over,” Rubio announced during a White House briefing. “We’re done with that stage of it.” He clarified that the United States has now shifted to a “defensive” approach, primarily focused on restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow strategic waterway carrying a major portion of global energy supplies and one that has been largely blocked since hostilities escalated.

“This is not an offensive operation,” Rubio emphasized. “There’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first.”

His remarks reflected a recent change in administration messaging about the conflict, which began in February when President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and the destruction of its nuclear program. Rubio adopted a notably restrained tone, stressing that a U.S. delegation led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff was still working to determine whether Iran would be willing to negotiate on any terms. “We don’t have to have the actual agreement written out, but we have to have a diplomatic solution that is very clear about the topics,” he said.

The comments followed a statement from the Trump Administration to Congress asserting that “hostilities” against Iran had officially ended under a ceasefire reached nearly a month ago, despite new Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting vessels and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. forces have responded to threats in the strait, including destroying small Iranian boats and intercepting incoming projectiles, but have refrained from what officials described as “major combat operations.”

Earlier Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintained that the ceasefire brokered last month remains intact despite recent attacks on American troops. Trump also sought to downplay the incidents but declined to specify exactly what would constitute a breach of the ceasefire. “You’ll find out,” he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

However, conditions in the region suggest a much more unstable reality. Since the Navy established a protected corridor this week, only two commercial ships have safely transited the strait, according to Hegseth—a stark contrast to the approximately 130 vessels that passed through daily before the war. Major shipping firms continue to avoid the route, which spans just 21 miles at its narrowest point and lies within range of Iranian missiles, drones, and mines.

Rubio acknowledged the challenges of reopening the passage, describing the administration’s new initiative—named “Project Freedom”—as a gradual effort to establish what he called a “protective bubble” for maritime traffic. “This is the first step,” he said, toward resuming transit through the strait and ending what he characterized as Iran’s “economic arson.”

He noted that the United States would lead the mission but acknowledged that other nations had quietly offered support. “This is a favor to the world,” he remarked, pointing out that many stranded ships belong to foreign countries now facing shortages of food, water, and essential goods due to vessels stuck at sea.

The renewed focus on securing shipping lanes reflects what Rubio described as the administration’s immediate priority: lifting Iran’s effective blockade of the strait, which has driven up global energy prices and unsettled financial markets. He dismissed concerns about direct effects on American consumers, even as gasoline costs have risen significantly.

“If Iran had a nuclear weapon and they decided to close the [Strait of Hormuz] and make our gas prices like $9 a gallon or $8 a gallon, we wouldn’t be able to do anything about it, because they have a nuclear weapon,” he warned.

“They would do exactly to the world with a nuclear weapon what they’re doing now with the strait,” he added, suggesting that the Iranian leadership could use such capabilities to permanently dominate global energy markets.

Rubio accused Iran of advancing technologies aligned with a weapons program, including sophisticated centrifuges and long-range ballistic missiles. Despite Tehran’s repeated claims that it does not seek nuclear arms, he insisted, “they just don’t mean it.” In a blunt assessment, Rubio called Iran’s leadership “insane in the brain” and urged them to pursue what he termed a “sensible choice” by engaging in negotiations.