U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the operation 'Epic Fury' and U.S. offensive actions against Iran have concluded. However, U.S. military personnel will continue to escort commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. has completed its offensive actions against Iran and the operation 'Epic Fury', Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday, May 5, during a press conference at the White House. 'Operation 'Epic Fury' is complete, as the president has notified Congress. We have finished this phase,' he said, reports DW.
Earlier, Trump Notified Congress of the War's Conclusion
On May 1, Donald Trump notified the U.S. Congress of the end of the war against Iran due to a ceasefire. Thus, the Trump administration bypassed the 1973 law, which requires the White House to secure congressional support to continue a military conflict lasting more than 60 days.
According to Rubio, the Trump administration 'does not consider this legal requirement constitutional,' but continues to comply with certain provisions of the law to 'maintain good relations with Congress.'
New U.S. Operation 'Project Freedom' Put on Hold
The day before, the U.S. began a new operation 'Project Freedom', under which American military personnel would escort commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump threatened Iran with retaliation in case of attacks on American ships.
According to Rubio, this is a 'defensive operation, not an offensive one.' 'There will be no shooting unless they fire at us first,' the U.S. Secretary of State explained.
On the night of May 6, Trump wrote on the social network TruthSocial that the operation 'Project Freedom' would be 'paused for a short period of time to determine if it is possible to finalize and sign an agreement' with Iran. According to the U.S. president, he was asked to do this by Pakistan 'and other countries.'
Iran: U.S. Intervention in Shipping in Hormuz is a Violation of the Ceasefire
On April 4, the head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Commission, Ebrahim Azizi, wrote on the social network X that any American intervention in shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would be regarded as a violation of the ceasefire that came into effect on April 8.
Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, imposed after the war began, has cut off the global market for oil, gas, and fertilizers. In response, the U.S. established a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
Negotiations between the two countries have remained stalled since the ceasefire was established. The only round of talks took place on April 11 in Pakistan and ended without results.
