London- The United States has abruptly declared the end of its military campaign against Iran
while suspending a high-profile naval escort initiative in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting a fragile ceasefire and a strategic recalibration in a conflict that has reshaped regional power dynamics.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that “Operation Epic Fury” — a joint US-Israeli offensive launched on February 28 — had achieved its objectives and concluded. The announcement followed President Donald Trump‘s earlier notification to Congress on May 1 that hostilities had ceased under a ceasefire arrangement, a move that also sidestepped requirements under the War Powers Resolution, which mandates congressional approval for conflicts extending beyond 60 days.
Rubio stressed that while active combat operations had ended, the broader confrontation remained unresolved. “We would prefer the path of peace,” he said, signalling continued US readiness to respond to escalation, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme and maritime disruptions.
Within hours, Trump announced the suspension of “Project Freedom,” a US-led mission to escort commercial vessels stranded by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative, launched only days earlier, had aimed to restore shipping through the vital waterway.
In a Truth Social post, Trump cited “great progress” in negotiations with Iran and requests from regional countries as reasons for pausing the operation. He said the blockade of the strait would remain in force while talks continued toward a “complete and final agreement.”
The reversal underscores the delicate balance between military pressure and diplomacy, as Washington seeks to reopen the strait without triggering renewed conflict. US officials had described Project Freedom as a defensive effort to guide vessels and rescue nearly 23,000 people from 87 countries stranded in the Gulf, with engagement rules limiting force to self-defence.
Iran, however, viewed the initiative as a breach of the ceasefire and an attempt to undermine its control under the guise of a humanitarian mission. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any maritime movement not aligned with its directives would face “serious risks,” with vessels liable to be forcibly stopped. Iranian state media derided the move as an “interventionist” effort cloaked in humanitarian rhetoric.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain acute. US military said Iranian actions, including attacks on vessels and harassment of shipping, had continued at a level below that of “major combat operations.” Iran, for its part, accused Washington of undermining regional security and signalled that it had yet to fully respond to US attempts to reopen the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively constrained under Iranian control, with shipping companies reluctant to resume transit without clearance. The waterway, which carries roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies, has become a focal point of geopolitical leverage, pushing up energy prices and unsettling global markets.
The conflict’s outcome reflects a complex strategic picture. The US and Israel demonstrated overwhelming military capability, targeting Iranian infrastructure and leadership. Yet Iran has retained key levers of power, including its influence over the strait, its regional alliances, and elements of its nuclear programme.
For Tehran, endurance in the face of sustained military pressure has reinforced its negotiating position. For Washington, the campaign has raised questions over strategic gains, particularly amid strained alliances and the risks of escalation in a region central to global energy security.
As negotiations continue indirectly, the situation in the Gulf remains precarious — a ceasefire in name, but a contest for control and leverage still very much in play.
China-Iran Talks Signal Strategic Alignment
China hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Wednesday in his first visit since the outbreak of the US-Israel war.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Araqchi, according to state-backed Xinhua News Agency, with Beijing having initiated the invitation. While no formal agenda was disclosed, Iran said discussions would cover bilateral ties as well as regional and international developments.
Analysts say the timing underscores growing coordination between Tehran and Beijing. “This meeting is deeply strategic,” said Amir Handjani of the Quincy Institute, noting that both sides appear to be aligning positions ahead of President Trump‘s expected meeting with President Xi Jinping.
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