Combat Phase Concludes as Washington Unveils New Initiative
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the military campaign against Iran, which began in February, has officially ended. The United States is now pivoting to a large-scale project called 'Freedom,' focused on restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The White House recently informed Congress that hostilities against Iran have ceased, as the 60-day threshold requiring legislative approval had been reached.
Rubio hinted at the significance of the new mission, stating: 'Now we are moving on to this Freedom project.'
Donald Trump, for his part, has not ruled out resuming airstrikes if negotiations with Iran fail or if the country violates the current ceasefire. 'I don't want to jeopardize the talks, but suffice it to say that the president and this entire team recognize the centrality of this issue, and it will have to be resolved one way or another,' Rubio noted.
The Freedom Project and Its Scope
Starting Monday morning local time, the Freedom project will involve:
- 15,000 military personnel
- Over 100 aircraft of various types
- Guided-missile destroyers
- A wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
Recall that Donald Trump announced a major humanitarian mission to evacuate foreign vessels that became trapped in the Strait of Hormuz due to conflict in the Middle East. Rubio emphasized that 'the operation is complete. Epic fury, as the president informed Congress, we have finished this phase.' Regarding Iran's nuclear program, Rubio said it will be addressed through negotiations, where not only enrichment aspects but also control over materials that could be hidden are important.
The end of combat operations against Iran and the shift to the Freedom project signal a change in U.S. foreign policy focus from military action to diplomatic efforts and ensuring navigation safety in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. However, the threat of resuming military action if talks with Iran fail remains real, highlighting the complexity and dynamic nature of the regional situation. The allocation of military resources for the Freedom project also indicates U.S. readiness to respond proactively to potential future threats.
The transition to the 'Freedom' initiative also coincides with President Trump's announcement of a significant humanitarian effort aimed at rescuing vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict. This mission highlights the dual focus of the U.S. strategy in the region, emphasizing both military readiness and humanitarian support. For more details on this operation, see our coverage of the humanitarian mission launched by Trump.