Washington, D.C. — The United States has formally ended its offensive military campaign against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced, marking a critical inflection point in a two-month conflict that brought the Middle East to the brink of wider war. Yet even as “Operation Epic Fury” concludes, a fragile ceasefire and ongoing clashes in the Strait of Hormuz underscore how volatile the situation remains.
Speaking at a White House press briefing on May 6, Rubio told reporters that the U.S.-Israeli joint offensive launched on February 28 has been terminated.
“The operation is over, Epic Fury, as the president notified Congress. We’re done with that stage of it,”_ Rubio said. “We achieved the objectives of that operation."
The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s letters to Congress last week stating that hostilities with Iran had “terminated,” an attempt to comply with the War Powers Act’s 60-day limit on unauthorized conflicts.
Rubio stressed that the end of offensive action does not mean the broader confrontation is resolved. "We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace,” he said. But he added that Iran must still agree to U.S. demands on its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
How We Got Here: A Timeline of the 2026 Iran Conflict
Feb 28, 2026 : U.S. and Israel launch “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, striking senior leadership and military/economic sites. Iran retaliates with missile and drone attacks across the region.
Feb 28 – Apr 8 : Intense air campaign. The Strait of Hormuz is virtually shut as Iran deploys mines, drones, and fast-attack craft. Oil prices spike globally.
Apr 8, 2026 : President Trump declares a ceasefire, later extended multiple times despite stalled nuclear talks.
Apr 14 – May 5: Fragile truce holds but clashes continue. Iran fires missiles/drones at U.S. forces on May 5; U.S. says it struck six Iranian boats threatening shipping.
May 4, 2026 : Trump announces “Project Freedom” to escort commercial ships out of Hormuz.
May 6, 2026 : Rubio declares Epic Fury over. Hours later, Trump pauses Project Freedom to pursue a potential deal with Iran.
While the bombs have stopped, U.S. forces remain heavily engaged in the Gulf. Rubio characterized current American actions as defensive.
"This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation. There’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first,”_ he said.
That mission is “Project Freedom,” Trump’s initiative to guide roughly 1,550 commercial vessels and 22,500 mariners trapped in the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military has deployed guided-missile destroyers, 100+ aircraft, and 15,000 service members to secure a corridor. So far, only two U.S.-flagged ships have transited.
But Trump paused the operation Tuesday evening, citing progress in talks. "Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized,” he wrote on social media.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, warned that U.S. Central Command remains "ready to resume major combat operations... if ordered". “No adversary should mistake our current restraint with a lack of resolve."
European leaders have called for sustained diplomatic engagement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged all sides to prioritise dialogue, warning that continued instability in the Gulf would have serious consequences for the global economy, particularly energy-importing nations.
The easing of active hostilities has been cautiously welcomed by international markets. Oil prices, which had surged during the peak of tensions, have stabilised as shipping lanes continue to operate. Global stock markets have also shown modest gains, reflecting reduced fears of supply chain disruption.
Reactions from Gulf States: Relief, But Deep Mistrust
United Arab Emirates: The UAE reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones for a second day Tuesday. Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed welcomed the end of Epic Fury but urged “binding guarantees” from Iran. Abu Dhabi has been hit hardest economically, with Jebel Ali port traffic down 60%.
Saudi Arabia: Riyadh issued a cautious statement supporting “all efforts to de-escalate” but blamed Iran for “manufacturing the crisis”. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly pushing Washington to link any Hormuz deal to curbs on Iranian proxies.
Qatar & Oman : Both played quiet mediation roles. Qatar’s Emir called Rubio’s announcement “a necessary first step” and offered Doha as a venue for nuclear talks. Oman, which has hosted backchannels, called for full reopening of Hormuz.
Iran: Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the U.S. presence “intolerable” and vowed it will diminish". The IRGC said it had “not even started yet”, signaling potential for renewed action if talks fail.
What to Watch
Project Freedom: Trump paused the naval escort mission Tuesday night to pursue a deal. If talks collapse, it resumes and Hormuz becomes a shooting gallery again.
Nuclear Accounting: The 900+ pounds of 60% enriched uranium is the key metric. Without a deal on that, sanctions and blockades stay.
Congress: House Democrats are pushing for a formal vote on the Iran war, arguing “Epic Fury” termination is a loophole.
