US Declares Iran Operation Over, Seeks Diplomatic Resolution Now

[Abdulrahmon Mubarak Olayinka]

Marco Rubio announced that the United States has ended its military operation against Iran and achieved its main goals. Speaking to reporters, he explained that the war phase is now over, even though some key issues, like Iran's enriched uranium, have not yet been fully resolved. His statement was meant to reassure the public and respond to growing concerns from lawmakers.

Rubio appeared at the White House briefing room, stepping in for Karoline Leavitt. He said the operation, known as "Operation Epic Fury," has officially ended. According to him, the U.S. government considers its objectives met and now prefers to focus on diplomatic solutions rather than continuing military action.

He also addressed legal concerns raised by Congress about the War Powers Resolution. This law gives the president only 60 days to carry out military operations without approval. Rubio explained that the administration avoided violating this rule by declaring the operation finished before the deadline expired.

A new mission called Project Freedom has now started. Rubio described it as a smaller and defensive operation, mainly focused on protecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. He made it clear that the U.S. will only respond if attacked, not engage in active combat.

The situation in the Gulf remains serious, with about 23,000 people from 87 countries still stranded on ships. Rubio confirmed that at least 10 civilian sailors have died during the conflict. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth noted that hundreds of ships are waiting to pass through the waterway, which carries a large portion of the world's oil supply.

Despite ending the operation, a major issue remains unresolved. Iran still holds over 900 pounds of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be hidden deep underground. U.S. envoys like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are working on a diplomatic solution. However, tensions remain high after reports that the United Arab Emirates faced missile and drone attacks, raising doubts about how stable the ceasefire really is.

Source: