Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared at the White House press briefing podium Tuesday, filling in for the absent press secretary to address U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz and preview his upcoming visit to Vatican City amid heightened diplomatic tensions over Iran's nuclear program.
Rubio told reporters that 'Operation Epic Fury,' the joint U.S.-Israel military operation launched against Iran on February 28, has concluded because its objectives were successfully met. The secretary emphasized, however, that while the major offensive action is over, the broader conflict remains unresolved and could be restarted if necessary.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers largely praised Rubio's firm stance on Iran, arguing that President Trump's pressure campaign represents the most effective strategy in years for countering Tehran's regional ambitions. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch has long advocated for maximum pressure tactics against Iranian leadership.
Conservative commentators echoed Rubio's characterization of U.S. operations as defensive in nature, arguing that Iran bears sole responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz disruption through its harassment of international shipping. The Heritage Foundation's Middle East experts have argued that maintaining freedom of navigation in the waterway is essential to global commerce and American national security interests.
Supporters of the administration's approach contend that Iran's nuclear development program including advanced centrifuge technology, uranium enrichment, and underground bunker construction demonstrates bad faith that undermines any diplomatic overtures. They argue that only continued pressure can compel Tehran to abandon its weapons ambitions.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and progressive foreign policy analysts have expressed caution about the ongoing U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf. Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has previously argued that unilateral American military operations risk escalating tensions without addressing underlying diplomatic solutions to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Critics on the left have questioned whether Operation Epic Fury achieved lasting strategic objectives or merely temporarily degraded Iranian capabilities. They argue that the hundreds of merchant ships still bottled up in the Persian Gulf demonstrate the limitations of a military-first approach to reopening the vital shipping lane.
Progressive advocacy groups, including Win Without War, have called for renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran through existing multilateral frameworks rather than continued military posturing. These voices contend that sustained dialogue offers a more durable path to resolving both the Strait of Hormuz blockade and concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
What the Numbers Show
According to Rubio's remarks Tuesday, only two merchant ships have successfully passed through the new U.S.-guarded shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz since operations began. Hundreds more vessels remain bottled up in the Persian Gulf, unable or unwilling to transit the waterway amid ongoing tensions.
Operation Epic Fury was launched on February 28, representing a coordinated military campaign conducted jointly by United States and Israeli forces against Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. Rubio described the operation as having successfully concluded its objectives but did not provide specific details about targets struck or casualties inflicted.
The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments daily, making it one of the world's most strategically significant maritime chokepoints. Any prolonged disruption has cascading effects on global energy markets and international trade.
The Bottom Line
Rubio's appearance at the White House briefing served dual purposes: reassuring international partners about America's defensive posture while laying groundwork for his diplomatic mission to Vatican City later this week. The secretary is expected to meet with Pope Leo XIV, whose prior statements critical of military action against Iran have drawn sharp criticism from President Trump.
The secretary emphasized that peace remains possible but requires Iran to agree to Trump's demands regarding its nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He expressed hope that Chinese officials, meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this week, would press Tehran to end its blockade.
What happens next will depend largely on whether diplomatic channels through Vatican City and Beijing can complement or replace ongoing military operations. Rubio is expected to depart for Rome later this week as the administration attempts to thread the needle between continued pressure and negotiated resolution.