U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Wednesday that Operation Epic Fury, the US-Israel military campaign against Iran launched on February 28, has concluded after achieving its objectives, while President Donald Trump paused a U.S. effort to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz to finalize a potential peace deal with Tehran.
US declares end to Operation Epic Fury, but Trump warns of escalation
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday that Operation Epic Fury is concluded
, stating that we achieved the objectives of that operation
. Rubio emphasized that Washington now prefers the path of peace
, framing the pause in military operations as an opportunity to negotiate a final agreement with Iran. The operation, which began on February 28 and escalated into a regional conflict, had been aimed at pressuring Tehran over its nuclear program and its control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane.
However, Trump’s rhetoric on Wednesday introduced a layer of uncertainty. In a social media post, he stated that Epic Fury would be at an end if Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to
. Otherwise, he warned, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before
. This statement appeared to contradict Rubio’s definitive declaration, leaving open the possibility of renewed military action if diplomatic efforts fail.
The U.S. had launched Project Freedom
on Monday, an operation to guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively blockaded following the start of the conflict. Trump announced on Tuesday that this effort had been paused based on the request of Pakistan and other countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran, and the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran
. The pause was intended to create space for negotiations, though the specifics of these discussions remain unclear.
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Iran’s response and the Strait of Hormuz standoff
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced on Wednesday that it would provide safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz under unspecified procedures
, a move that appeared to be a response to the U.S. pause in Project Freedom. The Iranian government had previously threatened to attack ships attempting to transit the strait without its permission, leading to fears of a renewed conflict. The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, imposed on April 13, remains in place, adding to the tension in the region.
Earlier this week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Beijing for meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. This was the first such trip by Araghchi since the start of the war, highlighting China’s role as a potential mediator. The U.S. had previously urged China to use its influence to encourage Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a major flashpoint in the conflict.
The closure of the strait has had significant economic consequences, disrupting global oil and gas supplies and sending fuel prices soaring. The U.S. has framed its efforts to reopen the strait as defensive, aimed at assisting the thousands of civilian sailors stranded due to the conflict. However, Iran’s control of the waterway has given it considerable leverage in negotiations.
Diplomatic backchannel and the path forward
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been ongoing, with Pakistan serving as a key intermediary. The first round of talks in Islamabad last month ended without resolution, and both sides have since submitted new proposals. Iran has reportedly received a U.S. response to its latest 14-point peace proposal, though details remain scarce. Trump has suggested that Iran has not yet paid a big enough price
for a deal, indicating that further concessions may be required.
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Analysts suggest that the U.S. is pushing for deep concessions from Iran, including a rollback of its nuclear program and guarantees that the conflict will not resume. Iran, in turn, is seeking assurances that any agreement will truly end the war rather than just a temporary pause. The highly fraught negotiations reflect the deep divisions between the two sides and the high stakes involved.
For now, the U.S. has paused its military efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the threat of renewed bombing hangs over the negotiations. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the pause in hostilities leads to a lasting peace or a return to conflict.
What comes next?
The immediate focus is on whether Iran and the U.S. can reach a final agreement. If negotiations fail, the risk of escalation remains high, with Trump’s warning of heavy attacks
looming over the process. The economic and geopolitical consequences of the conflict continue to ripple across the globe, making a resolution urgent. For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, and the world watches to see if diplomacy can prevail over military posturing.
