Rubio: US 'Operation Epic Fury' Against Iran Concludes, 'Project Freedom' Unrelated to Warfare
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio asserted that 'Operation Epic Fury' against Iran has concluded, having met its objectives. He emphasized that 'Project Freedom,' aimed at securing transport in the Strait of Hormuz, is a separate, smaller, and defensive operation unrelated to warfare.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 10:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 11:31 (41 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 12:59 (1h 27m after Collected)
US-Iran War Focus News
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. Secretary of State Rubio today argued that although Iran's highly enriched uranium has not yet been obtained, the military operation against Iran has achieved its goals, and emphasized that 'Project Freedom,' aimed at ensuring the safety of transportation in the Strait of Hormuz, is another smaller, defensive operation.
Reuters reported that during White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's maternity leave, Rubio (Marco Rubio) made a rare appearance at the White House briefing room to answer questions from reporters. In his remarks, he refuted congressmen's criticisms that President Trump had violated the 1973 "War Powers Resolution."
The "War Powers Resolution" stipulates that if a U.S. president initiates military action without congressional authorization, the action must end within 60 days.
The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28, starting the US-Iran war. Trump officially notified Congress 48 hours later, triggering the 60-day limit, which expired on the 1st. The White House then declared that hostilities in "Operation Epic Fury" had ended to circumvent relevant regulations.
Rubio reiterated today at a press conference that "Operation Epic Fury" has ended. "We have achieved the goals of that operation, and we do not wish to see more situations occur. We prefer a path of peace. The President desires to reach an agreement."
Rubio stated that "Project Freedom" is a new operation to open the Strait of Hormuz for passage. It is smaller in scale and completely different from the original combat plan, belonging to a defensive operation. Unless U.S. forces are "attacked," no military action will be taken.
Rubio said that "Project Freedom" is to assist about 23,000 crew members from 87 countries trapped on ships in the Persian Gulf, and revealed that at least 10 civilian crew members have died due to ongoing conflicts in the strait.
Although Rubio asserted that the goals of "Operation Epic Fury" have been achieved, one of Trump's core objectives in launching military strikes against Iran was to ensure that the Tehran authorities do not develop nuclear weapons, but Iran has not yet handed over approximately 408 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
Rubio stated that it is now time for the Tehran authorities to "accept reality," and said that U.S. envoys Witkoff (Steve Witkoff) and Kushner (Jared Kushner) are still exploring diplomatic solutions, not only to deal with enriched uranium but also with Iran's nuclear materials hidden "deep somewhere."
Rubio declined to disclose details of the negotiation progress, saying that the actual agreement is "extremely complex and highly technical," requiring a clear diplomatic plan that clearly defines the topics Iran is willing to negotiate and the initial concessions it is willing to make, for the negotiations to be worthwhile. (Translated by Chang Ming-Hsuan) 1150506
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the "CNA First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) U.S. Secretary of State Rubio today argued that although Iran's highly enriched uranium has not yet been obtained, the military operation against Iran has achieved its goals, and emphasized that 'Project Freedom,' aimed at ensuring the safety of transportation in the Strait of Hormuz, is another smaller, defensive operation.
Reuters reported that during White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's maternity leave, Rubio (Marco Rubio) made a rare appearance at the White House briefing room to answer questions from reporters. In his remarks, he refuted congressmen's criticisms that President Trump had violated the 1973 "War Powers Resolution."
The "War Powers Resolution" stipulates that if a U.S. president initiates military action without congressional authorization, the action must end within 60 days.
The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28, starting the US-Iran war. Trump officially notified Congress 48 hours later, triggering the 60-day limit, which expired on the 1st. The White House then declared that hostilities in "Operation Epic Fury" had ended to circumvent relevant regulations.
Rubio reiterated today at a press conference that "Operation Epic Fury" has ended. "We have achieved the goals of that operation, and we do not wish to see more situations occur. We prefer a path of peace. The President desires to reach an agreement."
Rubio stated that "Project Freedom" is a new operation to open the Strait of Hormuz for passage. It is smaller in scale and completely different from the original combat plan, belonging to a defensive operation. Unless U.S. forces are "attacked," no military action will be taken.
Rubio said that "Project Freedom" is to assist about 23,000 crew members from 87 countries trapped on ships in the Persian Gulf, and revealed that at least 10 civilian crew members have died due to ongoing conflicts in the strait.
Although Rubio asserted that the goals of "Operation Epic Fury" have been achieved, one of Trump's core objectives in launching military strikes against Iran was to ensure that the Tehran authorities do not develop nuclear weapons, but Iran has not yet handed over approximately 408 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
Rubio stated that it is now time for the Tehran authorities to "accept reality," and said that U.S. envoys Witkoff (Steve Witkoff) and Kushner (Jared Kushner) are still exploring diplomatic solutions, not only to deal with enriched uranium but also with Iran's nuclear materials hidden "deep somewhere."
Rubio declined to disclose details of the negotiation progress, saying that the actual agreement is "extremely complex and highly technical," requiring a clear diplomatic plan that clearly defines the topics Iran is willing to negotiate and the initial concessions it is willing to make, for the negotiations to be worthwhile. (Translated by Chang Ming-Hsuan) 1150506
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the "CNA First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.