Rubio tells House "Epic Fury" over as Gulf strikes continue

Wednesday, June 3, 2026Confirmed

Politics Desk

What we know

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday that Operation Epic Fury — the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iranian military infrastructure that began Feb. 28 — "has concluded," a day after telling a Senate panel "the war is over." He cast recent U.S. strikes as "completely defensive" responses to Iranian one-way attack drones threatening commercial shipping, saying "if they don't shoot at those ships, we don't shoot."

Ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks pressed whether Rubio warned President Trump that war could close the Strait of Hormuz and spike prices; Rubio said the administration knew there would be consequences but judged an Iranian nuclear weapon worse. Testimony came as Iran hit Kuwait International Airport (at least one killed, 60+ injured per Kuwait health ministry) and Bahrain intercepted missiles and drones, with oil up nearly 2% and Hormuz still largely closed.

What's confirmed

Al-Monitor/RFE: Rubio told HFAC Epic Fury concluded; recent U.S. strikes framed as defensive for shipping (Al-Monitor/RFE).
Bloomberg/Al-Monitor: Rubio said Trump and administration knew economic fallout risks but nuclear threat outweighed them (Bloomberg).
Al-Monitor: Kuwait health ministry — airport drone attack killed at least one and injured 60+ Wednesday; Bahrain said it intercepted Iranian missiles/drones (Al-Monitor).
Context: Hearing same day House advanced Meeks war powers text (covered separately on Jun 4 Top).

What's still developing

Whether "war is over" framing holds if Gulf exchanges continue.
Senate and House follow-through on war powers concurrent text.
Hormuz reopening terms in any preliminary U.S.-Iran paper.

Sources

Al-Monitor — After Gulf attacks, Rubio faces pushback on war is over claim link
Bloomberg — Rubio Says Trump Was Aware of Iran War Economic Fallout Risks link
RFE/RL — US House Approves Measure To End Iran War As Rubio Insists Conflict Is Over link
Military Times — Gulf tensions escalate as Iran hits Kuwait, US strikes near Hormuz link