Rubio declares US operation against Iran over, claims Washington achieved military objectives

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers on Wednesday that the U.S. military campaign against Iran, called "Operation Epic Fury," was finished. He added that future American actions would be defensive, not part of an ongoing offensive.

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rubio addressed lawmaker concerns about how the administration evaluated the conflict and its aftermath. At the time, folks were still worried about regional safety, U.S. troop deployments in the Middle East, and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz,a super important oil shipping passage.

At the hearing, Rubio said, "The sustained strikes inside Iran are done. Epic Fury is wrapped up."

For emphasis, he stated, "Epic Fury is over… The operation's concluded."

In his opinion, the U.S. came out on top since they met their goals and weakened Iran’s military abilities. That meant, according to Rubio, they'd demolished Iran's defense industry, cut down missile launchers and drones, and crippled their air force and navy.

He also noted that despite the extensive damage inflicted by the United States and Israel, Iran retained some drone and maritime combat capabilities.

Rubio’s comments prompted a sharp exchange with Democratic Representative Sara Jacobs, who questioned the administration’s assertion that the war was over while American troops remained deployed across the region and the Strait of Hormuz remained closed.

Jacobs asked: “You can change the name of the operation, it doesn’t change the fact that the Strait’s still closed, and my service members and all of our service members are still in harm’s way.”

She continued: “I’d like to talk about the war in Iran. Yesterday, in your testimony, you told Senator Booker that the war in Iran is over. This is news to me. It’s also news to my 2,500 constituents Marines, San Diego, Marines, in the Middle East, the other of my constituents who are deployed there and the thousands more of my constituents who have 48-hour deployment notices whose families are still very concerned.

Rep Jacobs said she was willing to accept the secretary’s claim but still had a question for him: “Who won?”

During the hearing, Marco Rubio argued that Operation Epic Fury was a success because it achieved the administration’s stated military objectives, including severely damaging the opponent’s defense industry, missile capabilities, drone stockpiles, air force, and navy. He maintained that victory should be measured by those goals.

However, Sara Jacobs challenged that assessment, arguing that the broader strategic situation had not improved since the Strait of Hormuz remained closed and U.S. troops were still engaged in conflict. She accused the administration of redefining success while actually losing what she described as a reckless and unnecessary war.