Rubio Says US-Israeli Operation Epic Fury in Iran Reaches Objectives

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran, Operation Epic Fury, has ended after reaching its objectives.

"We would prefer the path of peace. What the president would prefer is a deal," Rubio told reporters.

His remarks followed a series of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz that raised concerns over the US-Iran ceasefire. The US has said it plans to escort stranded ships out of the Gulf through the mostly closed waterway.

Tehran has not responded to Rubio's statement. Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, the top negotiator in last month's US talks, said earlier: "We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started."

"Shipping security and energy transit have been jeopardized by the US and its allies with the ceasefire violations and blockade. However, their evil acts will fail," Ghalibaf added.

Late Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a verified source told it a cargo vessel had been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. No further details were available.

Earlier, the UAE said its air defenses engaged missiles and drones from Iran for a second day. On Monday, it accused Iran of firing missiles and drones, including a strike on an oil port in Fujairah outside the strait, and called it a dangerous escalation.

Iran denied the UAE attacks Tuesday. A military spokesman said, "If such an action had been taken, we would have announced it firmly and clearly."

Operation Epic Fury started February 28 with US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Tehran responded by blocking the strait, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas usually flows.

In early April, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire. Iran halted drone and missile strikes on Gulf countries including the UAE, but few vessels have passed through since. The US also blockaded Iranian ports.

On Monday, the US said it attacked seven Iranian fast boats in the strait. Iran said it fired warning shots at a US vessel. Both denied the other's claim. Two commercial ships reported attacks, and one said it exited under US military escort as part of President Donald Trump's plan to reopen the strait.

At the White House, Rubio said Trump wanted a deal, but "that is so far not the route that Iran has chosen." He added: "What that may lead to in the future is speculative."

US and Israeli attacks caused "generational destruction to their economy," Rubio said, and Iran's leaders should "check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they're going."

"Right now the ceasefire certainly holds, but we're going to be watching very, very closely," Pete Hegseth said at a press conference Tuesday.

Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iran attacked US forces 10 times since the ceasefire but these were "below the threshold" of resuming fighting at this point.

Reporters later asked Trump what would breach the ceasefire. "You'll find out because I'll let you know," he replied. He said a negotiated settlement with Iran remained possible.