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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israel military campaign against Iranian forces, has concluded. The declaration, made on May 5, 2026, marks the end of roughly two months of strikes that began in February 2026.
Rubio’s message was blunt in its confidence.
“The Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation.”
The campaign targeted Iranian ballistic missile infrastructure and aimed to secure shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through that narrow waterway on any given day.
What the operation looked like
Operation Epic Fury ran for approximately 67 days. The strikes focused on neutralizing Iran’s ballistic missile threat.
With the operation formally wrapped, the US military has shifted into a defensive posture. The new standing order is straightforward: no shooting unless attacked first.
The US is maintaining a presence focused on the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring that the waterway stays open and navigable for commercial shipping.
As of early June 2026, Rubio reinforced the message during congressional testimony, telling lawmakers plainly that “the Iran war is over now.”
The question of what’s left
Iran’s drone production capabilities, while degraded by the strikes, are reportedly still intact. The country’s ability to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles was not entirely dismantled during the campaign.
Diplomacy and what comes next
Rubio has signaled a preference for diplomatic negotiations over further military engagement. As of early June 2026, discussions around potential sanctions and ceasefire arrangements were ongoing.
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