US Declares Iran Offensive Over, but Warns That Force Remains an Option

The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday, even as Washington warned it was ready to unleash a "devastating" response to any new attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio's remarks came after Washington's top military officer said American forces remain ready to resume combat operations if ordered, as clashes in the vital waterway threatened to unravel a fragile ceasefire.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy warned of a "firm response" if ships deviated from its approved route through the strait, as the country's chief negotiator said Tehran "had not even started yet," following a spate of attacks in the crucial trade route.

The United Arab Emirates announced it was intercepting a barrage of missiles and drones from Iran for a second day -- a claim Tehran "categorically" denied.

"The armed forces...did not launch any missile or drone operation," Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya command said.

Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. forces on Monday, while Washington said it struck six Iranian boats it accused of threatening commercial shipping, in the sharpest escalation since a monthlong truce.

U.S. Central Command remains "ready to resume major combat operations...if ordered," Gen. Dan Caine told reporters.

"No adversary should mistake our current restraint with a lack of resolve."

President Donald Trump urged Iran to "do the smart thing" and make a deal, saying he did not want to kill more Iranians even as the ceasefire teetered.

He earlier dismissed the conflict as "a little skirmish," adding: "Iran has no chance."

War chief Pete Hegseth had said the United States was "not looking for a fight" but warned attacks would face "overwhelming and devastating" force.

- 'Malign presence' -

Iran parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the status quo was "intolerable," warning the U.S. "malign presence will diminish" as Tehran vowed to retain control of Hormuz.

Monday's exchange of fire came as the rivals enforced dueling maritime blockades following Trump's plan to guide ships out of the Gulf.

Iran denied any naval losses but accused Washington of killing five civilians aboard boats.

Despite tensions, Danish freight giant Maersk said one of its ships had transited Hormuz under US escort.

The UAE called the attacks "a dangerous escalation," while Saudi Arabia urged efforts toward a political solution.

Rubio accused Iran of "holding the world's economy hostage" through threats to shipping and the laying of sea mines, and said Washington and Gulf allies had drafted a UN Security Council resolution demanding Tehran halt attacks and disclose the location of mines.

The proposed measure would also require Iran to end efforts to charge tolls in the strait and support a humanitarian corridor, with a vote expected in the coming days, Rubio said.

Talks remain deadlocked, with only one round of direct negotiations so far.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remained open to dialogue, but rejected U.S. "maximum pressure" demands as "impossible."

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