Middle East crisis live: Trump changes strait of Hormuz plan again as Rubio says US offensive is ‘over’

Welcome to the Guardian’s continuing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East. Donald Trump has said the effort to guide vessels out of strait of Hormuz is paused while the US aims to finalise a deal with Iran. The president announced the decision in a social media post on Tuesday evening, saying he was pausing the effort for a short period to give space for US efforts to final a settlement with Iran to end the war. Trump said he was making the move based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran.” He added that the US blockade of vessels leaving Iranian ports would remain in place. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the military objectives of so-called “Operation Epic Fury” have concluded and the offensive stage of the war with Iran is “over”. Speaking at the White House press briefing, Rubio insisted that ongoing US military action in the strait of Hormuz is “defensive” in nature and a separate operation, in line with the Trump administration’s argument that it doesn’t need approval from Congress to continue the war against Iran. “There’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first,” he told reporters, urging Iran to “make the sensible choice” and negotiate a deal. …