Rubio: US Forces in Strait of Hormuz Will Not Fire First

Washington (ANTARA) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday (5/5) that the US military in the Strait of Hormuz will not fire unless attacked first. “This (Project Freedom) is not an offensive operation (attack). It is a defensive operation (defence). It means very simply, no shooting unless we are shot at first,” Rubio told reporters. At the same time, Rubio added that the US military will defend itself from possible attacks. “We will not allow speedboats to approach our ships and then shoot at them. We will respond,” he said. The US will also shoot down drones and missiles that could threaten our military forces, Rubio added. On Friday, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Congress stating that hostilities against Iran that began on 28 February have ended, although the Pentagon continues to update its military posture in the region because threats still exist. The end of Operation Epic Fury was also confirmed by Rubio on the previous Tuesday. On Sunday night, Trump announced Project Freedom to help ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz to exit the area. IRIB broadcaster reported on Monday (4/5) that the Iranian military prevented a US ship from entering the Strait of Hormuz by attacking a warship with two missiles, which was later denied by US Central Command. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched a joint attack on targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. On 7 April, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Follow-up negotiations in Islamabad ended without agreement, and Trump extended the cessation of hostilities to give Iran time to prepare a “comprehensive proposal.”