US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday that the initial US-Israeli offensive in Iran, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury', is over after achieving its objectives. He stated that President Donald Trump would prefer a peaceful path and a negotiated deal.

The comments come amid a spate of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz that raised fears the ceasefire between the US and Iran was in jeopardy. The US has pledged to guide stranded ships out of the largely closed waterway.

Tehran has not officially commented on Rubio's statement, but Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf earlier said: 'We know well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we are just getting started.' He accused the US and its allies of ceasefire violations and blockade, asserting that 'their evil acts will fail'.

Late Tuesday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a cargo vessel was struck 'by an unknown projectile' in the Strait of Hormuz. No further details were immediately available.

Earlier, the UAE said its air defenses were engaging Iranian missiles and drones for a second consecutive day. On Monday, the UAE accused Iran of launching missiles and drones, including a strike on an oil port in Fujairah, calling it a 'dangerous escalation'. Iran denied attacking the UAE.

Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 with a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Tehran responded by blocking the crucial waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and LNG usually passes. Despite a ceasefire announced in early April, few vessels have transited the strait since.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire is 'not over'. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine noted that Iran has attacked US forces 10 times since the ceasefire, but these are 'below the threshold' for resuming hostilities. Trump expressed belief that a negotiated settlement remains possible.

Source: www.bbc.com