Offensive stage of Iran war is 'over', says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Rubio insisted the United States was taking defensive action in enforcing its blockade of Iranian ports, and said the initial military operation against Iran was over.

"We are only responding if attacked first. This is a defensive operation," Rubio told a press conference on Tuesday.

"If no shots are fired at these ships and no shots are fired at us, we're not firing shots, but if we're fired on, we will respond."

The Iran conflict and ensuing stand-off between the US and Tehran have effectively closed the shipping lane, which is a major route for oil and gas supplies, sending energy prices soaring and damaging the global economy.

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