US Iran conflict: Rubio says Operation Epic Fury has ended, warns it could resume

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said major US military operations against Iran have ended, citing completed objectives for Operation Epic Fury. He said recent Strait of Hormuz clashes were defensive, and urged Iran to meet President Donald Trump’s nuclear demands and reopen the waterway. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US prefers peace but remains prepared.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said major US military action against Iran has ended. Rubio spoke at the White House on Tuesday. Rubio said Operation Epic Fury is finished because its goals were met. Rubio did not rule out fresh conflict. Rubio said the US wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened for trade and energy flows.

Rubio said recent clashes tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz were defensive. "Were not cheering for an additional situation to occur,\" Rubio said. \"We would prefer the path of peace.\" Rubio said Iran must meet President Donald Trumps demands on Iran’s nuclear programme. Rubio also said Iran must reopen the strait, which supports global oil and gas supply.

Strait of Hormuz reopening and Project Freedom

US forces continued efforts to guide commercial ships through Hormuz. Only two merchant vessels were known to use the new US-guarded route. Hundreds more ships remained stuck inside the Persian Gulf. Rubio said the effort is called Project Freedom. Rubio said global interest is not the main problem. Rubio said many countries lack the needed naval assets.

Rubio said, \"The capabilities is the issue. A lot of countries would love to do something about it. But they dont have a navy, right? Or they cant get there in time....\" Rubio said the US must lead due to reach. Rubio said, \"The primary responsibility for this Project Freedom is on the United States, because were the only country that can project power in that part of the world,\"

Rubio said the US effort aims to protect civilian mariners. Rubio said about 23,000 civilian sailors are stranded in the Persian Gulf. Rubio said Iran’s actions left crews exposed and short of supplies. \"Theyre sitting ducks, theyre isolated, theyre starving, theyre vulnerable,\" Rubio said. Rubio said at least 10 sailors have died. Rubio said sailors come from 87 countries.

Rubio stressed the US is not seeking a wider fight. \"Theres no shooting unless were shot at first, OK? Were not attacking them. Were not,\" Rubio told reporters. Rubio said US forces would respond to threats. Rubio said US forces would shoot down drones and missiles if needed. Rubio said the approach remains defensive in nature.

China, Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz pressure

Rubio said Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi plans to visit China on Wednesday. Rubio said Chinese officials should push Iran to ease pressure on the strait. \"I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told,\" Rubio said. \"And that is that what you are doing in the strait is causing you to be globally isolated. Youre the bad guy in this.\"

Rubio said China may suffer more than the US from disruptions in Hormuz. Rubio said China’s export economy relies on shipping through the waterway. President Donald Trump also addressed China’s stake. \"You know, in all fairness, he gets, like, 60 per cent of his oil from the Strait of Hormuz,\" Trump said of President Xi Jinping.

China imported about half its crude oil from the Middle East, officials said. China also received almost one-third of its liquefied natural gas there. Trump’s remarks differed from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s stance. Bessent said Beijing should step up pressure on Iran. Bessent said Iran would be on Trump’s agenda in Beijing next week.

Operation Epic Fury, ceasefire, and regional security

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US prefers peaceful steps to guide ships. Hegseth said the US is ready to act if conditions change. Hegseth said the ceasefire reached nearly a month ago is not over. It remained unclear what comes next. The United Arab Emirates said it was defending against more Iranian strikes.

A spokesman for Iran’s joint military command denied striking the UAE in recent days. The UAE defence ministry said on X Tuesday evening it was engaging missiles and drones. The ministry said sounds heard in parts of the federation came from interceptions. It referred to ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. The situation added to regional uncertainty around the strait.

Former military officers said opening Hormuz remains difficult and risky. They said escorts alone may not solve the threat. They noted the waterway is narrow and hard to navigate. They said Iran can hit the entire area with anti-ship cruise missiles. They also cited drones, fast attack craft and sea mines as added dangers.

Experts said lowering risks would need constant surveillance and patrols. They said it could require strikes on offensive sites inside Iran. Separately, a proposed UN Security Council resolution addressed shipping safety. The draft, backed by the United States and Gulf nations, threatened sanctions. It demanded Iran halt attacks, stop illegal tolls, and disclose mine locations.

The draft resolution also demanded Iran support a UN humanitarian corridor in the strait. It sought passage for aid, fertiliser, and other goods. The text was written under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter. It allowed enforcement, including military steps. A past Hormuz resolution was vetoed by Russia and China. About 20 per cent of global crude oil had moved through Hormuz.

Shipping risk and insurance linked to the Strait of Hormuz

Shipping firms and insurers said it is too early to judge the impact. Marcus Baker of Marsh Risk said insurers need time to react. \"We just have to see what happens, whether the Iranians keep the peace, whether the Americans keep the peace, and exactly what thats going mean for shipping,\" Baker said. Baker warned about heated rhetoric from both sides.

Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd AG said its assessment had not changed. \"At this point in time our risk assessment remains unchanged,\" the company said. It added that Hormuz transits were not possible for its ships. Shippers remained cautious despite the US route. The limited number of successful passages highlighted continued concerns about safety at sea.

Rubio also addressed wider diplomacy linked to the Iran conflict. Rubio played down tension between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. Rubio said Trump’s criticism reflected fear of Iran gaining nuclear arms. \"Trump doesnt understand why anybody - leave aside the pope - the president and I, for that matter, I think most people, I cannot understand why anyone would think that its a good idea for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon,\" Rubio said.

Pope Leo spoke to reporters and rejected claims about supporting any nuclear weapons. \"I said Peace be with you,\" Leo said. \"The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace.\" Leo said criticism should be based on facts. \"If someone wants to criticise me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth,\" Leo said.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defended Pope Leo in a social media post. Tajani said Trump’s attacks were not acceptable or helpful. \"I reaffirm my support for every action and word of Pope Leo; his words are a testament to dialogue, the value of human life, and freedom. This is a vision shared by our government, which is committed through diplomacy to ensuring stability and peace in all areas where conflicts exist,\" Tajani wrote.

Rubio is due to meet Pope Leo on Thursday. Rubio is due to meet Tajani and Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday. Pakistan’s military also commented on the rising US-Iran tensions. A Corps Commanders Conference urged restraint on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Pakistan said lasting peace needs restraint, responsibility, and respect for sovereignty.

US politics also reflected pressure from the conflict and fuel costs. Vice President JD Vance travelled to Iowa on Tuesday. Vance visited Cincinnati first to vote in the primary. Vance said the choice was Vivek Ramaswamy for governor. Vance also held a fundraiser in Oklahoma City. Higher prices for gas and fertiliser, plus tariffs, hit voters hard.

Rubio also took on a White House briefing role on Tuesday. Rubio filled in for press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt was on leave awaiting the birth of a second child. Rubio’s briefing was set for 3 p.m. EDT. Rubio also serves as Trump’s national security adviser. Rubio previously served briefly as acting archivist and acting USAID administrator.

Separate fighting in the region continued to add strain. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 2,702 people have died since the Israel-Hezbollah war began. It said 8,311 people were wounded. The war began on March 2, after Hezbollah rockets followed the Feb. 28 strikes. A ceasefire has been in place since April 17. Daily attacks still continued.

Rubio said the US sees Operation Epic Fury as complete, while the wider dispute persists. US officials said the ceasefire still held, despite flare-ups. The shipping corridor through Hormuz stayed limited, with only two known transits. Iran denied striking the UAE, while the UAE reported interceptions. Diplomacy at the UN and with China continued alongside warnings from shippers and insurers.

With inputs from PTI