WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the conclusion of “Operation Epic Fury,” stating that American military objectives were achieved. However, he emphasized that the United States is not seeking an escalation and would prefer a diplomatic resolution.
“We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace,” Rubio told reporters. “What the President would prefer is a deal.”
The Secretary of State revealed that President Trump wants to sit down and work out a memorandum of understanding for future negotiations that would address all key topics, including the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz to restore global normalcy. Rubio noted that the preferred negotiating channel involves Steve [Mnuchin] and Jared [Kushner], with full support from the administration.
“That’s the route he prefers. That is so far, not the route that Iran has chosen,” Rubio said.
As a result, the United States has been forced to take action. “The United States has to do something about the fact that we’re the only nation on earth that can do anything to open up a lane within the Straits of Hormuz to get product and to rescue these people that are trapped in there, and that’s what we’re undergoing now,” he added.
Rubio did not provide further operational details but reiterated that while the military phase of Operation Epic Fury is complete, Washington remains ready to engage diplomatically if Tehran alters its course.
