US says offensive against Iran is over, warns force remains an option

WASHINGTON: The United States has ended its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, while also warning that Washington was prepared to respond with overwhelming force to any further attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio’s remarks came after America’s top military officer said US forces were still prepared to restart major combat operations if ordered, as fresh tensions in the strategic waterway threatened a fragile ceasefire.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy, meanwhile, warned it would give a firm response if vessels moved outside routes approved by Tehran through the strait. Iran’s chief negotiator also said Tehran had not even started yet after a series of attacks in the key maritime corridor.

The United Arab Emirates said for a second straight day that it was intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran, an allegation Tehran rejected. "The armed forces did not launch any missile or drone operation," Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya command said.

On Monday, Iran fired missiles and drones at US forces, while Washington said it had struck six Iranian boats that it said were threatening commercial shipping. The exchange marked the sharpest escalation since a month-long truce took hold.

General Dan Caine said US Central Command remained ready to resume major combat operations if directed to do so. "No adversary should mistake our current restraint with a lack of resolve," he said.

President Donald Trump urged Iran to make an agreement, saying he did not want more Iranians to be killed even as the ceasefire appeared increasingly unstable. He had earlier described the confrontation as a little skirmish, adding that "Iran has no chance."

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the United States was not seeking a fight, but warned any attacks would be met with overwhelming and devastating force.

Hormuz tensions and regional reaction

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the existing situation was intolerable and warned that the US malign presence will diminish, as Tehran reiterated that it would maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Monday’s exchange came as both sides enforced rival maritime blockades after Trump’s plan to guide ships out of the Gulf. The conflict, triggered more than two months ago by US-Israeli strikes, has weighed heavily on the global economy despite the ceasefire lasting several weeks.

Israel also signalled military readiness. Air force chief Omer Tischler said the military was prepared to deploy the entire air force eastward if required, while military chief Eyal Zamir said the army remained on high alert and ready to answer threats in the Gulf.

Iran denied losing any naval assets, but accused Washington of killing five civilians aboard boats.

Despite the tensions, Danish shipping company Maersk said one of its vessels had passed through Hormuz under US escort.

The UAE described the attacks as a dangerous escalation, while Saudi Arabia called for efforts to reach a political solution.

UN push and stalled diplomacy

Rubio accused Iran of holding the world’s economy hostage through threats to shipping and the laying of sea mines. He said the United States and Gulf allies had prepared a draft UN Security Council resolution calling on Tehran to stop attacks and reveal the location of mines.

According to Rubio, the proposed resolution would also require Iran to stop trying to impose tolls in the strait and back a humanitarian corridor. He said a vote was expected in the coming days.

Markets reacted unevenly to the latest developments. European and US stocks rose on Tuesday, while concerns that the ceasefire could collapse weighed on Asian equities.

Diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with only one round of direct talks held so far. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was still open to dialogue, but rejected US maximum pressure demands as impossible.

Higher energy prices are adding to economic pressure and creating a political challenge for Trump ahead of midterm elections. European allies also warned that any prolonged disruption would damage their economies. "These attacks are unacceptable," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.

She added that security in the Gulf has direct consequences for Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also urged Iran to return to negotiations, echoing similar calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.