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World
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the end of Operation 'Epic Fury' in Iran, referring to the joint US-Israel war that began on February 28, and warned of the consequences of allowing Iran to control international waterways.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday the end of Operation 'Epic Fury' in Iran, referring to the joint war between the United States and Israel that began on February 28 last.
During a press conference at the White House, Rubio stated: 'Operation Epic Fury is over, we have achieved the objectives of that operation. We do not wish for any further escalation. We prefer the path of peace.'
Rubio pointed to the directions of US President Donald Trump at this stage, saying: 'What President Trump prefers is to reach an agreement... and, so far, that is not the path Iran has chosen.'
The Secretary of State touched on the issue of executions in Iran, expressing his strong condemnation: 'The US President is devastated by the images... This is a brutal regime. These are people who hang others on cranes in the town square for everyone to see.'
Rubio warned of the repercussions of allowing Iran to control international waterways, saying: 'If we live in a world where a rogue state, like the Iranian regime, is allowed to claim, as a new normal, control over an international waterway, it will not be long before we see that happening in multiple waterways around the world.'
He added: 'If Iran possessed a nuclear weapon and decided to close the straits... we would not be able to do anything about it... A nuclear-armed Iran can do whatever it wants with the straits, and there will be nothing anyone can do about it.'
Regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, Rubio said: 'They have always said they do not want a nuclear weapon. Let us be clear. They have always said that - but they do not really mean it. The conflict continues day after day... Our leverage over Iran will increase, and its position will continue to weaken.'
He highlighted the contradiction within the Iranian regime, saying: 'They do not care about the suffering of their people. There is a difference between saying: (We can withstand the pressure), and saying: (We truly do not care). I think there are people in their system who care more than others.' He added: 'I do not know any country in the world where there is a greater gap between the people and the people running the country.'
Rubio asked in dismay: 'I do not understand how anyone can think that Iran possessing a nuclear weapon is a good idea. Look at what they are doing in the Strait of Hormuz now. They are holding the world hostage. They have sailors on commercial ships who will starve to death there - they do not care... What do you think they would do if they had a nuclear weapon?'
He condemned Iran's behavior in dealing with international navigation, saying: 'This is what Iran says: We will close the straits... No country in the world can pass, unless we allow you to pass, and you will have to pay for it, while our ships are allowed to pass... This is madness. Who would agree to that?'
Rubio affirmed that 'Operation Economic Fury' continues to exert maximum pressure on the Iranian regime and what remains of its already fragile economy.
It is noteworthy that President Donald Trump announced early Wednesday the temporary suspension of 'Project Freedom' to support securing the movement of ships and international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, explaining that the decision came at the request of Pakistan and a few undisclosed countries.
