May 5, 2026
Iran said it will continue to block foreign shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the strategic waterway effectively closed despite a US initiative to escort stranded vessels. Tehran imposed the restriction after a US–Israeli strike on Iran at the end of February; the United States responded by limiting traffic to and from Iranian ports.
US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” saying US forces would shepherd neutral merchant ships through the strait. US military officials reported that two American‑flagged merchant vessels transited the passage on Monday under the protection of guided‑missile destroyers. Iran denied those transits took place, while Danish operator Maersk confirmed its US‑flagged Alliance Fairfax left the Gulf with US naval assistance.
US commanders also said their forces destroyed six small Iranian boats as well as cruise missiles and drones. Iranian state media quoted a military commander accusing US forces of hitting civilian boats and killing five people. Iran further said it fired on a US warship, forcing it to withdraw.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament and its chief negotiator with the United States, warned Washington that Tehran had “not even started” its operations and described the ongoing situation as “intolerable” for the US. He accused the United States and its allies of undermining 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, helped by Pakistan, were making progress. He criticized the US naval escort effort, calling “Project Freedom” a deadlock.
The United Arab Emirates reported a large missile-and-drone barrage in an attack it blamed on Iran; Tehran has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility. The UAE said its air defenses intercepted ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, and that the strikes 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 renewed negotiations. India also condemned the strike after three Indian nationals were reported injured.
Pakistan, which has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, denounced the strikes on the UAE and called for the ceasefire to be upheld to permit 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. Separately, a blaze broke out on commercial vessels at Iran’s Dayyer port; the cause is under investigation.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine were scheduled to hold a press conference following the launch of the ship‑escort initiative.
The developments have placed the fragile ceasefire agreed on April 8 under strain. Diplomatic efforts continue even as military tensions and disruptions to maritime traffic persist.