Marco Rubio Declares ‘Epic Fury’ Over Despite Continued Iranian Drone Strikes
Peace remains elusive despite US claims of victory.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday defended the administration’s position that its military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, has concluded, despite continued hostilities across the Middle East. Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio stated that the United States was no longer carrying out sustained military strikes inside Iran and argued that the operation had successfully achieved its primary objectives. His remarks came as tensions in the region remained high and diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire continued.
According to Rubio, Operation Epic Fury significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities. He told lawmakers that the campaign had destroyed much of Iran’s defense industrial infrastructure, reduced its missile launcher inventory, and diminished its stockpile of drones. Rubio also claimed that the operation effectively eliminated what remained of Iran’s air force and conventional navy. The military campaign, launched jointly by the United States and Israel on February 28, has triggered widespread instability across the Middle East and intensified concerns about regional security.
Despite the administration’s declaration of success, Democratic lawmakers challenged Rubio’s characterization of the conflict as over. Critics pointed to ongoing Iranian attacks across the Gulf region, including a strike on Kuwait’s airport on Wednesday that reportedly killed one person and injured dozens more. Bahrain, another Gulf nation hosting a significant American military presence, also experienced overnight drone attacks attributed to Iran. These incidents have fueled concerns that the conflict continues to pose serious risks to both civilians and military personnel.
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Representative Sara Jacobs of California criticized the administration’s position, arguing that changing the operation’s status does not alter the reality on the ground. She noted that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, disrupting a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. Iran’s actions in the strategic waterway have heightened fears of broader economic consequences, with energy markets closely monitoring developments. The continued threat to US forces stationed in the region also remains a major point of concern for lawmakers.
Rubio also provided an update on ongoing negotiations with Tehran, indicating that discussions remain focused on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The United States has maintained that any lasting peace agreement must include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities, the transfer of near-weapons-grade uranium, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. While diplomatic exchanges have taken place, Rubio acknowledged that Iran has yet to formally approve the proposed framework, leaving the future of negotiations uncertain.
Iran, meanwhile, has insisted that the release of approximately $12 billion in frozen assets is a prerequisite for meaningful talks on its nuclear program. Iranian officials have also rejected earlier suggestions by President Donald Trump that the country’s enriched uranium stockpile would ultimately be destroyed. With military tensions persisting and key diplomatic issues unresolved, prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement remain unclear, underscoring the fragile state of security across the region.
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