Marco Rubio Ends Operation Epic Fury, Says U.S. Enforces Iran Port Blockade

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Operation Epic Fury has ended and the United States has transitioned to taking defensive action in enforcing its blockade of Iranian ports. Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, Rubio said, "Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation," and added that the offensive stage of the war with Iran was "over." Rubio said the U.S. would continue to deploy its assets to defend freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and he confirmed that "at least 10 sailors have died" among civilian sailors. He also said U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were continuing to explore a diplomatic solution that must address nuclear material Iran still had buried "deep somewhere."

Rubio also addressed Israel-Lebanon peace talks, telling reporters at the White House that peace between Israel and Lebanon is achievable but that Hezbollah is the problem. He said, "By and large, I think a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel is imminently achievable, and should be," and added, "The problem with Israel and Lebanon is not Israel or Lebanon, it's Hezbollah." The U.S. framing emphasized that a Lebanese government must have the capability to go after Hezbollah and dismantle it, while Israel said any deal must permanently disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed that Beirut will not back down from the negotiations path with Israel and is prepared to accelerate its pace, with preparatory talks expected in Washington in the coming days.

Rubio’s comments came as the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was extended, with the American President Donald Trump announcing on April 16 an understanding on a ceasefire agreement for ten days starting from midnight on April 17 (Beirut time). On April 23, Trump announced extending the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel for three weeks after hosting the ambassadors of the two countries at the White House. In parallel, Hezbollah announced its commitment to the ceasefire on the condition that it be comprehensive and include an end to hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied southern lands. Rubio said the U.S. hopes to bring Lebanese and Israeli representatives to the negotiating table under American mediation, emphasizing the need for a Lebanese state able to "challenge Hezbollah and disarm them," while Israel maintained that any agreement must include the permanent disarmament of Hezbollah.