US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday declared the conclusion of “Operation Epic Fury,” bringing to an end more than two months of conflict and instability triggered by a major US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
The operation, launched on February 28 under US President Donald Trump in coordination with Israel, was aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and significantly escalated tensions across the Gulf and the wider Middle East.
The conflict also triggered major political upheaval in Tehran. Following the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was named the country’s new supreme leader, marking a major leadership transition.
Announcing the end of the operation, Rubio said, “Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation. We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace. What Trump would prefer is a deal… that is, so far, not the route that Iran has chosen.”
Rubio said several countries had privately and publicly requested US assistance to restore maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict.
“Many nations asked the US to help free their ships and restore freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz,” Rubio said, adding that President Trump had directed the US military to escort stranded vessels to safety.
He described the mission as the first step toward reopening the Strait and ending what he called Iran’s “economic arson.” Rubio also warned Tehran against challenging the United States under Trump’s leadership.
“It really is important for them to understand that they should not test the will of the United States, at least not under President Donald Trump,” Rubio said. “If they test him, ultimately, they will lose.”
Trump echoed the administration’s hardline position, claiming Iran’s military infrastructure had been effectively dismantled during the campaign.
“Iran has no chance. They never did,” Trump said, asserting that Iran’s navy, air force, anti-aircraft systems, and military leadership had been “totally wiped out.”
Reiterating his administration’s core objective, Trump added, “We can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
The operation and its aftermath have intensified global concerns over regional stability, energy security, and the possibility of a broader conflict in the Middle East, even as Washington says it prefers a negotiated settlement with Tehran moving forward.
