LIVE: Multiple Explosions In Iran - IRGC Attacks UAE Again - Trump Ready To Launch

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced 'Project Freedom,' a defensive military operation aimed at rescuing approximately 23,000 civilians from 87 countries trapped in the Persian Gulf due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The operation involves guiding stranded ships to safety under a 'protective bubble' provided by US guided missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 military personnel. The US has already successfully transited two merchant ships and destroyed seven Iranian fastboats that posed threats.

Rubio stated, 'The president announced this project uh freedom and the goal of it is to frankly if you want to talk about it it's to rescue like almost 23,000 civilians from 87 different countries that are trapped inside of the of the Gulf and left for dead... The US military is deploying the necessary assets to extend this defensive umbrella over commercial shipping.' He also mentioned, 'These forces have already destroyed... seven Iranian fastboats that failed to heed our warnings.'

The US is intensifying 'Operation Economic Fury' to exert maximum pressure on Iran. This strategy, combined with the naval blockade, is costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day in lost revenue. The blockade has halted 90% of Iran's total trade, causing permanent damage to its oil infrastructure and leading to 70% inflation and a 'total and complete freefall' of its currency. The US warns foreign financial institutions enabling sanctions evasion will face secondary sanctions.

Rubio detailed, 'Operation Epic Fury, economic fury... continues to impose maximum pressure on the Iranian regime... Today, inflation in Iran is 70%. And their currency is in total and complete freefall... The blockade alone is costing Iran as much as $500 million a day in lost revenue. 90% of total Iranian trade has been halted.'

Rubio asserted that Iran's actions, such as developing long-range missiles capable of reaching Europe, building underground enrichment centers, and retaining 60% enriched uranium (which has no civilian use), demonstrate a clear intent for a military nuclear program. The US preference is for a diplomatic solution where Iran agrees to verifiable concessions, but warns against testing the US's will under President Trump, stating Iran will ultimately 'lose' if it escalates.

Rubio explained, 'They innovate and try to innovate long range delivery missiles... They uh enri they they build these large underground centeres for enrichment activity... we know for a fact that they retain highlyenriched uranium at 60% that they that they did so and that has no civilian use. None. Zero whatsoever.' He added, 'The alternative is growing isolation, economic collapse, and ultimately total defeat.'

The US views Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, including placing mines and firing upon commercial vessels, as a criminal and illegal act under international law. Rubio emphasized that international waterways cannot be controlled by any single country. The US is proposing a UN Security Council resolution to condemn these actions, remove mines, and allow humanitarian aid, framing this as a critical test for the UN's utility in resolving global conflicts.

Rubio stated, 'International law on this is very clear. International waterways, no country can control them. There is no international law that allows you to say, 'I'm going to put mines in an international body of water and I'm going to blow up ships that don't listen to us and try to go through.' That's what Iran is doing. This is a criminal act and someone needs to do something about it.'