‘Operation Epic Fury’ has ended: Is the Iran war over?

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that Operation Epic Fury – the US-Israeli strikes on Iran which commenced on February 28 and prompted a regional conflict – had concluded as its objectives had been achieved. Washington now prefers “the path of peace”, Rubio said. On the same day, US President Donald Trump announced that the US military operation to escort stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz – “Project Freedom”, which was launched the day before – had been paused . So, does this mean the US-Israel war on Iran is over? What did Rubio say about Operation Epic Fury? In a media briefing at the White House on Tuesday, Rubio told reporters that Operation Epic Fury was over. “The Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation,” Rubio said. “We’re not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace. What the president would prefer is a deal,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s efforts to arrange direct talks between Iran and the US. The first round of these, in Islamabad last month, ended without a resolution. Both sides have submitted new proposals since then. …