U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Tuesday that the initial offensive phase of the war against Iran, codenamed 'Operation Epic Fury,' has concluded. Rubio stated that the mission, which began on February 28 with a wave of U.S. and Israeli air strikes, has reached its primary objectives, though he cautioned that U.S. forces remain prepared to resume combat if necessary.
“This is not an offensive operation; it is a defensive operation,” Rubio told reporters, explaining that the shift means U.S. forces will not fire unless fired upon. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reinforced this posture, stating that the military remains ready to re-engage “if ordered to do so” and warned adversaries not to mistake current restraint for a lack of determination.
Despite the end of offensive strikes, the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations reported Tuesday that a cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile in the strait, while the UAE reported that its air defenses engaged Iranian missiles and drones for the second consecutive day. Iran has formally denied these attacks, with a military spokesperson stating, “If such an action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly.”
To address the ongoing blockade, Washington has proposed a new UN resolution, backed by a coalition including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, demanding that Iran cease mining operations and the collection of transit tolls. Rubio accused Tehran of “taking the world economy hostage” by restricting the waterway through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. Previous attempts at such resolutions have been blocked by Chinese and Russian vetoes, and China currently holds the presidency of the Council.
As the military posture shifts, the administration is also attempting to manage a public rift with the Holy See. Pope Leo XIV, in comments made outside his residence at Castel Gandolfo, pushed back against President Donald Trump’s recent claims on the Salem news network that the pontiff is “endangering Catholics” through his stance on the Iran conflict. The Pope defended the Church’s long-standing opposition to nuclear weapons, stating, “If someone wishes to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let them do so with the truth.”
Rubio is scheduled to meet with the Pope on Thursday, a visit widely interpreted as an attempt to mend diplomatic ties. Addressing the tension, Rubio dismissed reports that the President had attacked the Pope’s integrity, telling reporters, “I don’t think that’s an accurate description of what he said.” The Pope noted that he expects the discussion with the Secretary of State to cover broader issues, adding, “I believe the topics he is coming for are not those of today.”
The conflict has had significant regional impact, with specialized firms reporting that more than 900 vessels and approximately 20,000 mariners were in the Gulf at the end of April. While Trump declared a ceasefire on April 8, negotiations with Tehran remain stalled, and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf has described the status quo as “intolerable for America.”
