May 5, 2026
Iran says it will continue to block foreign shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, keeping the vital waterway effectively closed despite a US initiative to escort stranded vessels. Tehran imposed the blockage soon after a US–Israeli attack on Iran at the end of February; the US responded by restricting traffic to and from Iranian ports.
US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” saying the United States would guide neutral merchant ships through the strait. The US military reported that two American‑flagged merchant vessels transited the passage on Monday with the protection of guided‑missile destroyers. Iran denied those crossings occurred, while Danish operator Maersk confirmed its US‑flagged Alliance Fairfax exited the Gulf with US naval assistance. US commanders said their forces had destroyed six small Iranian boats plus cruise missiles and drones; Iranian media quoted a military commander accusing US forces of striking civilian boats and killing five people. Iran also said it fired on a US warship, forcing it to withdraw.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator with the United States, warned the US that Tehran had “not even started” its operations and called the continuation of the current situation “intolerable” for America. He accused the US and its allies of jeopardizing maritime security and said their “malign presence will diminish.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there is “no military solution” to the political crisis in the strait and that talks, aided by Pakistan, were making progress. He criticized the US naval initiative, calling “Project Freedom” a deadlock.
The United Arab Emirates reported a barrage of missiles and drones in an attack it blamed on Iran; Tehran has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The UAE said its air defenses intercepted ballistic and cruise missiles and drones; the strikes reportedly hit civilian infrastructure. European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the attacks and urged de‑escalation and a return to negotiations. India also condemned the strike on the UAE after three Indian nationals were injured.
Pakistan, acting as mediator between the US and Iran, condemned attacks on the UAE and called for the ceasefire to be upheld to allow diplomatic dialogue. Pakistan’s prime minister expressed solidarity with the Emirati government and people.
South Korea is weighing a US request to join efforts to protect ships transiting the strait. An explosion and fire were reported aboard the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu; all 24 crew members were later reported unharmed. In Iran, a separate blaze broke out on commercial vessels at the Dayyer port; the cause is under investigation.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, were slated to hold a press conference following the launch of the ship‑escort initiative.
The situation leaves the fragile ceasefire agreed on April 8 under strain, with diplomatic efforts continuing even as military tensions and maritime disruption persist.
