Filling in for the White House press secretary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared behind the podium Tuesday to reiterate that U.S. efforts to reopen the strait is not an offensive operation despite clashes with Iran in the last several days.
Watch Rubio's White House briefing in our video player above.
Rubio said the major U.S. military operation against Iran is over but stopped short of saying the conflict is over or cannot be restarted.
WATCH: Hegseth and Caine say Iran war ceasefire is still on despite new effort in Strait of Hormuz
Rubio said "Operation Epic Fury" — the attack the U.S. and Israel mounted on Iran on Feb. 28 — "is concluded" because the objectives of the mission were all successfully concluded.
"We're not cheering for an additional situation to occur," he said. "We would prefer the path of peace."
In order for that to happen, Rubio said Iran must agree to Trump's demands on its nuclear program and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio echoes message that Strait of Hormuz operation is defensive only
Rubio on Tuesday reiterated that U.S. efforts to reopen the strait is not an offensive operation despite clashes with Iran in the last several days.
"There's no shooting unless we're shot at first, OK? We're not attacking them. We're not," Rubio told reporters. "If they pose a threat to our forces, we'll shoot down drones, we'll shoot down missiles. But it's defensive in nature."
So far, only two merchant ships are known to have passed through the new U.S.-guarded route, with hundreds more bottled up in the Persian Gulf.
Rubio says Iran claims of not wanting a nuke are not backed up by actions
Rubio said Iranian claims of not wanting to develop nuclear weapons are belied by its actions.
Rubio said Tuesday that Iran must make a choice between war and peace but that peace will require a convincing demonstration that the Iranian government won't attempt to pursue nuclear arms.
Rubio told reporters at the White House that Iran's development of advanced centrifuge technology, its enrichment of uranium and construction of underground bunkers made clear the government was not serious about its no-nukes pledge.
Rubio downplays rift between Trump and Pope Leo ahead of visit to Vatican
Rubio downplayed the rift between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over Iran ahead of a key visit the top U.S. diplomat will make to Vatican City this week.
Rubio told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that Trump's recent criticism of the first American pontiff was rooted in his opposition to Iran potentially obtaining a nuclear weapon, which could be used against millions of Catholics and other Christians around the world.
Trump "doesn't understand why anybody — leave aside the pope — the president and I, for that matter, I think most people, I cannot understand why anyone would think that it's a good idea for Iran to ever have a nuclear weapon," Rubio said.
Rubio says many countries want to help open Hormuz but some lack the ability to do so
Asked what the global appetite is for the U.S. effort to reopen the strait, Rubio said the issue has not been a lack of interest but that not many are able to provide the assets and resources needed.
"The capabilities is the issue. A lot of countries would love to do something about it. But they don't have a navy, right? Or they can't get there in time. ..." he said.
He said the onus is on the U.S.
"The primary responsibility for this Project Freedom is on the United States, because we're the only country that can project power in that part of the world," he said. "This is a favor to the world because it's their ships that are stranded."
Rubio says he hopes Chinese officials talk to Iran about the strait
As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepares to visit China on Wednesday, Rubio said that he hopes Tehran's allies in Beijing reiterate the need for Iran to release its chokehold on the critical waterway as the fragile ceasefire continues.
"I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told," Rubio said. "And that is that what you are doing in the strait is causing you to be globally isolated. You're the bad guy in this."
The secretary went on to argue that China, more than the U.S., is suffering from Iran's actions in the strait, saying that China's export-driven economy depends on shipments going through Hormuz.
"It is in China's interest that Iran stop closing the strait," he added.