Full Breakdown
U.S. Ends Operation Epic Fury, Launches Project Freedom to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
5/6/2026, 8:24:49 AM
End of the Kinetic Phase and Launch of a New Naval Mission
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Operation Epic Fury, the United States’ kinetic campaign against Iran, had concluded. The administration simultaneously introduced “Project Freedom,” a naval effort to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and restore maritime traffic that has been restricted since the ceasefire began on April 7.
Background and Ceasefire Context
President Donald Trump notified Congress on April 7 that a 60-day ceasefire, invoked under the War Powers Act of 1973, had terminated hostilities. The administration maintains that the ceasefire remains in effect, even as Iranian forces have continued to fire on U.S. warships and commercial ships in the Gulf.
Principal Actors
- Marco Rubio – U.S. Secretary of State, announced the transition to Project Freedom.
- Pete Hegseth – U.S. Secretary of Defense, described the new mission as defensive.
- Gen. Dan Caine – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided operational assessments.
- President Donald Trump – Issued the ceasefire notification and warned Iran.
- Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf – Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, condemned the U.S. operation as a ceasefire violation.
- U.S. Central Command – Led the destruction of six Iranian small boats on May 4.
Key Data Points
- Approximately 22,500 mariners aboard 1,550 commercial vessels are reported “trapped” in the Arabian Gulf.
- Since the ceasefire, Iran has fired at commercial vessels nine times, seized two container ships, and attacked U.S. forces more than ten times.
- U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian small boats on May 4.
- Ten civilian sailors have died due to the blockade, according to U.S. officials.
- Project Freedom aims to protect nearly 23,000 civilians from 80–87 nations stranded in the Gulf.
Strategic Significance
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 5 percent of global oil shipments. Disruptions have elevated energy prices and increased shipping costs worldwide. Restoring safe passage is presented as essential to global trade stability and regional security.
Official Statements and Responses
Rubio framed the end of Epic Fury as the achievement of its primary objective—neutralizing Iran’s capacity to shield its nuclear program—and positioned Project Freedom as a defensive escort mission. Hegseth emphasized that the United States “is not looking for a fight” but will act to prevent Iran from blocking innocent commerce. Caine noted that recent Iranian actions remain “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations.” Trump declared that the war “terminated” with the ceasefire and warned Iran to “wave the white flag of surrender.” Qalibaf countered that the U.S. operation “violates the ceasefire and imposes a blockade,” jeopardizing maritime traffic.
Criticism and Opposition
Rubio asserted that the War Powers Act is “100 percent unconstitutional,” a claim that diverges from longstanding legal interpretations. Retired Gen. Jack Keane warned that renewed combat with Iran is “inevitable” given Tehran’s continued missile and drone launches. Iranian officials view the escort mission as a breach of the ceasefire agreement.
On-the-Ground Reports
The United Arab Emirates reported engagement with 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 drones launched from Iran on May 4, marking the second consecutive day of attacks on UAE targets. Iranian state media attributed these strikes to U.S. “adventurism” in reopening the strait.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on the operation’s name—“Project Freedom” in most U.S. statements versus “Project Liberty” in some reports. The number of trapped civilians is consistently cited as “nearly 23,000,” but the count of represented nations varies between 80 and 87. While U.S. officials maintain the ceasefire remains in effect, Iranian officials claim it has been violated. The precise legal status of the War Powers Act claim also lacks corroboration.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The operation is over. Epic Fury, as the president notified Congress, we’re done with that stage of it. We’re now on to this Project Freedom,” — Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- “We are not looking for a fight, but Iran cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway,” — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
- “below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point.” — Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- “should wave the white flag of surrender” — Donald Trump, President
- “To what remains of Iran’s forces: If you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming and devastating American firepower,” — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
- “through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade.” — Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iranian Parliament Speaker
Outlook
U.S. officials indicated that diplomatic talks with Iran are “being worked on very hard,” while President Trump announced a temporary pause to Project Freedom pending a potential agreement. Monitoring of Iranian missile and drone activity, as well as the status of civilian vessels in the Gulf, will shape the next phase of U.S. engagement.
