Rubio says US completed offensive stage of Iran war, insisting Washington “achieved its objectives” and acting in self-defense by enforcing blockade of Iranian ports
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said Washington completed its offensive operations against Iran, echoing remarks to Congress nearly a month into the cease-fire.
"The operation is over -- Epic Fury -- as the president notified Congress. We're done with that stage of it," Rubio told reporters at the White House.
Earlier the White House had informed lawmakers that the war had terminated due to the ceasefire, avoiding a legal requirement to ask Congress to authorize a conflict that goes beyond 60 days.
Trump nonetheless has threatened Iran with major reprisals if it attacks U.S. ships and on Sunday announced so-called "Project Freedom" to help vessels leave the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint to the Gulf where Iran has seized control in response to being attacked.
