Issued on: 05/05/2026 - 03:03Modified: 06/05/2026 - 07:52
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a White House press briefing on Tuesday that the United States had completed Epic Fury, its offensive operation against Iran, adding that “We’re done with that stage of it”, echoing remarks to Congress almost a month into a fragile truce. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.
This liveblog is no longer being updated.
Trump says US effort to guide stranded vessels out of Strait of Hormuz is paused
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was halting the US military operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after just one day, in a bid to reach a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war.
“Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalised and signed,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
Petrol prices surge as Iran war drives energy crunch
The price of a gallon of regular petrol climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA, hitting the wallets of drivers after rising 50% since the war with Iran began.
“There’s a fundamental shortfall that will exist globally or fundamental struggle to meet that demand that will drive up price,” Smith said. “No matter what a government says or what any market person thinks, there is a true kind of upward pressure that’s being exerted on prices every day the Strait of Hormuz is constrained. And it is still severely constrained.”
Regional leaders voice support for UAE after alleged Iranian attacks
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received calls from regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning what they described as Iranian attacks on civilians and civilian facilities in the UAE, state news agency WAM said Wednesday.
The leaders “affirmed their countries’ solidarity with the UAE and support for measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability and ensure the safety of its citizens,” WAM added.
Rubio discusses Ukraine and Iran in call with Russia's FM
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Tuesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at Lavrov’s request, the State Department said in a statement, adding the pair discussed the US–Russia relationship, the Russia–Ukraine war and Iran.
Rubio says he hopes China tells Iran its actions in Hormuz are causing its global isolation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he hopes China tells Iran what it is doing in the Strait of Hormuz is causing Tehran to be globally isolated.
Rubio says changes made to UN Hormuz resolution in bid to avoid veto
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday the United States had made some adjustments to a draft UN resolution on the Strait of Hormuz to try and avoid vetoes by China and Russia.
Cargo vessel struck by projectile at Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says
A cargo vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile within the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday, adding that the environmental impact from the incident was unknown.
CS Anthem chemical tanker is second US-flagged commercial vessel to exit Strait of Hormuz, sources say
The second US-flagged commercial vessel to exit Strait of Hormuz accompanied by US military assets was the CS Anthem chemical tanker, three sources said on Tuesday.
The CS Anthem is operated by Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions, which did not immediately comment.
The first known tanker to exit was the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier operated by Maersk's Farrell Lines subsidiary,
Rubio says offensive stage of Iran war is 'over'
The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday, echoing statements to Congress nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire.
“The operation is over – Epic Fury – as the president notified Congress. We’re done with that stage of it,” Rubio told reporters at the White House.
“This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation,” Rubio said.
“And what that means is very simple – there’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first.”
Rubio plays down Trump rift with pope before Vatican trip
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought Tuesday to play down President Donald Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV before the top American diplomat, a devout Catholic, meets the pontiff.
"Obviously we had some stuff that happened," Rubio told reporters at the White House. "There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican."
Peace deal between Israel and Lebanon is achievable, Rubio says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that peace between Israel and Lebanon was achievable but that Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was a problem.
Rubio says Trump 'would like Iranian people to have ability to fight back against regime'
Rubio says US will continue to clear passage via Hormuz to restore freedom of navigation
US forces destroyed seven Iranian fast boats in Hormuz, Rubio says
Ten civilian sailors dead due to conflict in Hormuz strait, Rubio says
Ten civilian sailors have died due to the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday.
Iran says it has not carried out attacks against the UAE in recent days
Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said on Tuesday it has not carried out attacks against the United Arab Emirates in recent days, yet warned of a "crushing response" if any action is carried out by the Gulf country against Iran.
The UAE was subject to a second day of what it said were missile and drone attacks from Iran after four weeks of relative calm since the United States announced a ceasefire.
Iran warns of 'crushing response' if UAE takes action against its ports, islands
Iran's joint military command warns of a "crushing response" if any action is taken by UAE against Iran's islands, ports and coastlline, says Iranian media.
Iran again sees US military buildup and threats despite ongoing dialogue, Pezeshkian says
Iran sets up new body to manage vessel transit through Strait of Hormuz
Iran has set up a new mechanism to manage the transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Press TV reported.
Iran has warned the U.S. Navy to stay out of the Strait of Hormuz and that commercial vessels will need to coordinate any
passage with its military. It also issued a new map of the strait with an expanded Iranian area of control.
Yesterday's key developments:
• The Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier operated by its Farrell Lines subsidiary, exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz accompanied by US military assets.
• Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said events in the Strait of Hormuz showed there was no military solution to the crisis, adding that talks were making progress with Pakistan's mediation.
• The United Arab Emirates, a key American ally, said it had come under attack from Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)
Keywords for this article
The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.
