US Has Completed Epic Fury Operation Against Iran

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Marco Rubio said on Tuesday the United States had completed its offensive operations against Iran, repeating a statement to Congress nearly a month after a fragile ceasefire.

"The operation has ended - Epic Fury - as the President (Donald Trump) informed Congress. We have finished with that phase," Foreign Minister Rubio told reporters at the White House, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (6/5).

Previously, the White House had told lawmakers the war was over because of the ceasefire, avoiding a legal requirement to ask Congress to authorize a conflict lasting more than 60 days.

Nevertheless, President Trump has threatened Iran with major retaliation if it attacks US ships and on Sunday announced a so-called "Freedom Project" to help ships leave the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow point to the Gulf where Iran has seized control in response to the attacks it received.

"This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation," said Foreign Minister Rubio.

"And it means very simply, no shooting unless we are shot first," he said.

Israel and the United States attacked Iran, in Operation Epic Fury (US version) or Operation Roaring Lion (Israeli version), on February 28, which has killed more than 3,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a number of senior officials.

The Mullah State retaliated by launching attacks on Israeli territory and targeting US-related infrastructure in the neighboring Middle East. Iran also tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran on April 8 which was later extended even though negotiations with Tehran were still stalled.

Secretary of State Rubio said the United States had "achieved the goal" of the war.

"They're facing, they're facing real and devastating destruction to their economy," he said, adding that President Trump still prefers the deal negotiated with Iran.