WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance held White House press briefings in May 2026. During his appearance on May 5, Rubio announced the conclusion of "Operation Epic Fury."

Rubio's briefing lasted approximately 49 minutes in the Brady Briefing Room. He stated, "Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation."

Vance conducted his briefing on May 19 in the White House press briefing room, answering questions for approximately 55 minutes. Vance commented on his approach to questions, saying, "I'm a politician. Maybe I won't even answer the one that you asked, but I will try at least to answer one question." He also suggested a potential shift in U.S.-Iran relations, stating, "We have an opportunity here, I think, to reset the relationship that has existed between Iran and the United States for 47 years."

The U.S. announced sanctions against Cuba's state-owned oil company Cupet on June 12, 2026. This action followed sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other Cuban officials approximately one week earlier. Rubio stated, "President Trump wants a new future for the Cuban people with greater economic and political freedom and opportunity. Until then, we will continue to target the Communist regime's ability to leverage its energy trade to further its corrupt agenda and violently repress the Cuban people."

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized the U.S. actions. Rodríguez stated, "The US Secretary of State, driven by ambitions of conquest, presidential aspirations, and the vindictive sentiments of the elitist clique that propelled his political career, is now further tightening the economic and energy blockade against Cuba. To justify this, he doesn't resort to excuses prepared by his State Department, but rather to the usual vulgar lies, the most aggressive, ignorant, and rabid rhetoric among Cuba's enemies."

This administration previously saw President Trump threaten military action in Cuba after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela and the detention of Nicolás Maduro. The vice president, secretary of state, secretary of the Treasury, and CMS administrator have appeared as guest hosts for routine White House press briefings.