The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is entering a high-risk phase marked by concurrent diplomatic mediation and military friction. Following a pivotal shift in the stance of its Gulf allies, the United States is preparing to restart military escort operations in these waters.
On May 7, reports from Xinhua and CCTV cited Iranian media stating that U.S. forces struck civilian areas and tankers along the Iranian coast. Iranian armed forces subsequently retaliated by firing missiles at U.S. military vessels. Unconfirmed reports suggest three U.S. destroyers were hit and retreated toward the Sea of Oman. U.S. Central Command claimed it intercepted an unprovoked Iranian attack and carried out precision strikes on Iranian military facilities.
As direct military conflict intensified inside and outside the Strait, the U.S. is considering restarting escort operations. Media reports indicate that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have lifted restrictions on U.S. military use of their bases and airspace, removing a key obstacle for the Trump administration to restart the "Freedom Plan," which aims to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite escalating military clashes, negotiations for a short-term ceasefire agreement are intensifying. Media in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have expressed optimism about a potential deal. Concurrently, however, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iranian and Iraqi oil networks. This complex situation of "fighting while talking, and sanctioning while engaging" leaves the crisis's outcome highly uncertain.
Saudi Arabia Grants Airspace Access, U.S. Military Plans "Freedom Plan" Restart
Reports state that the initial U.S. launch of the "Freedom Plan" previously caused the most significant military rift in recent U.S.-Saudi relations. Saudi officials indicated that after U.S. military leader Dan Caine downplayed Iranian attacks on locations like Fujairah in the UAE as minor harassment, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states grew concerned about a lack of U.S. protection if conflict escalated. This led to a temporary ban on U.S. military use of their bases and airspace, forcing the Trump administration to suspend the plan just 36 hours after it began.
However, following a phone conversation between Trump and Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, these restrictions have been lifted, with Kuwait following suit.
U.S. Department of Defense officials disclosed that the Trump administration is now actively seeking to restart the operation. Defense officials stated that once resumed, commercial vessels coordinating with the U.S. would travel through a narrow, cleared channel under the protection of U.S. warships and aircraft.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously stated that the U.S. has established a robust defensive dome over the Strait, with hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, and reconnaissance aircraft providing round-the-clock surveillance and protection for peaceful commercial shipping.
Exchange of Fire Occurs In and Around Strait, Military Conflict Escalates Sharply
Amid preparations to restart U.S. escort operations, armed clashes in the region have shown signs of spreading.
According to a statement from an Iranian armed forces spokesperson cited by CCTV, U.S. forces, cooperating with some regional nations, launched airstrikes on civilian areas along the Iranian coast near Hamir, Sirik, and Qeshm Island, and struck two vessels heading toward or entering the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian official media reported multiple explosions near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, with some commercial facilities hit.
In response, Iranian armed forces retaliated against U.S. military vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz and south of Chabahar Port. Citing Iranian sources, CCTV reported that three U.S. destroyers near the Strait were struck and are currently withdrawing toward the Sea of Oman. Additionally, Iranian air defenses shot down two "hostile aircraft" over Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in the south.
Responding to these clashes, U.S. Central Command stated that the U.S. Navy intercepted an unprovoked attack initiated by Iran and conducted precision strikes on the Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces. An Israeli government source told media that Israel was not involved in the explosions at Bandar Abbas.
Short-Term Ceasefire Agreement Faces Stalemate, Core Disagreements Persist
Against the backdrop of intensified military friction, diplomatic efforts have entered a critical period.
Reports suggest the U.S. and Iran may be close to a temporary agreement based on a one-page memorandum. This agreement aims to formally end hostilities, resolve the Strait crisis, and initiate a 30-day negotiation window. Notably, the draft sidelines several core demands previously insisted upon by the U.S., including requiring Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, suspend uranium enrichment for 20 years, limit its missile program, and cease support for regional proxy forces.
Tahir Andrabi, a spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is mediating the talks, expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached soon. Saudi Arabia's Al-Hadath television also predicted a breakthrough on the issue of stranded vessels within hours.
However, hardline positions persist within Iran. Reports indicate that former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaei emphasized that Iran will not allow the U.S. to reopen the Strait based on an "unrealistic plan" and withdraw without compensating Iran for its losses.
According to U.S. intelligence assessments, Iran currently possesses significant endurance for negotiations under blockade pressure. A confidential assessment by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believes that Iran could withstand the U.S. maritime blockade for at least another three to four months before facing more severe economic pressure.
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