Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated sharply. The U.S. military announced it forcibly escorted commercial vessels through the strait, while Iranian speedboats opened fire in an unsuccessful attempt to disrupt the passage. On the same day, the United Arab Emirates came under missile and drone attacks, significantly raising the risk of regional conflict. According to reports, U.S. Central Command Commander General Cooper stated on Monday that American forces had "established a free passage corridor" in the Strait of Hormuz, assisting two U.S.-flagged ships in successfully navigating the waterway. Cooper claimed that Iran attempted to fire on commercial ships to cause disruption but failed, and he warned Iranian forces to stay away from U.S. military assets. Meanwhile, citing a statement from the Iranian military, Xinhua News Agency reported that Iran had conducted warning shots against a U.S. destroyer.
During Monday's U.S. stock market trading session, reports emerged that former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had announced a plan on Sunday to facilitate passage through the Strait of Hormuz, issued a warning to Iran, stating that if Iran attacks U.S. vessels, it would be "wiped off the face of the earth." He also asserted that the U.S. has more ammunition than before, with military assets stationed in Middle Eastern bases, and claimed that "Iran is now more willing to compromise in negotiations." Trump further suggested on social media that South Korea join the U.S.-led Hormuz Strait operation, stating that after Iran fired on a "South Korean cargo ship," "perhaps it is time for South Korea to join this effort."
Simultaneously, according to Xinhua, the UAE Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Monday confirming that the country's air defense systems had intercepted a total of 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones launched from Iran. The UAE also confirmed that a fire had broken out in the Fujairah oil industrial zone due to the attacks. Iranian media, citing a senior Iranian military official, reported that Iran had no plans to attack the UAE. The contradictory statements from both sides create high uncertainty regarding the situation's trajectory, posing a direct threat to global energy channels and regional security.
Although the U.S. claimed to have initiated a plan to guide ships away from the Strait of Hormuz, media reports on Monday indicated that shipping in the strait remained largely frozen, with traffic at a standstill. Reports noted that as of early Monday afternoon London time, shipping activity in the strait was limited to a handful of vessels, most of which were linked to Iran.
The U.S. military stated it assisted two U.S.-flagged ships through the strait, while Trump claimed seven Iranian small boats were sunk. Reports from Monday midday U.S. Eastern Time quoted U.S. Central Command General Cooper as saying that American forces had helped two U.S.-flagged vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as establishing a "free passage corridor" in the strategic waterway. Cooper stated that Iranian speedboats attempted to fire on commercial shipping, and U.S. forces responded by sinking six Iranian small boats and intercepting cruise missiles and drones launched by Iran. Cooper strongly advised Iranian forces to stay away from U.S. assets during the operation to ensure strait accessibility. He also noted that the U.S. blockade on Iran—preventing vessels from traveling to or from Iranian territory—remained in effect and was more successful than anticipated.
According to CCTV, Trump stated on social media that, regarding the "Freedom Plan" navigation operation, Iran had fired on ships from unrelated countries, including a South Korean cargo vessel. Trump suggested, "Perhaps it is time for South Korea to join this effort." CCTV also reported that Trump disclosed on social media that U.S. forces had sunk seven Iranian small boats. He mentioned that, aside from the South Korean ship, no other vessels transiting the strait had suffered losses thus far. Trump added that U.S. Defense Secretary and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman would hold a press conference on the morning of May 5.
Citing U.S. media reports on Monday, Xinhua indicated that Trump was weary of the "no deal, no war" stalemate with Iran, and his plan to assist stranded vessels in the Hormuz Strait could reignite hostilities. A senior official stated, "The president wants action; he is not willing to wait. He wants to apply pressure; he wants a deal." According to the U.S. media report, starting Monday, the U.S. Navy would assist U.S.-flagged and other commercial ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz, providing advice on avoiding mines and standing ready to intervene if Iran launched attacks. A source close to Trump characterized the operation as "the beginning of a process that could lead to a confrontation with Iran." The report also indicated that U.S. Central Command Commander Cooper had proposed a more aggressive plan to Trump: sending naval vessels directly through the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official familiar with the plan stated that U.S. forces would destroy any missiles or speedboats Iran deployed in response, and if Iran escalated by attacking Gulf states, the U.S. would fully resume hostilities.
Iran claimed it conducted warning shots against a U.S. warship, with both sides' accounts contradicting each other. According to Xinhua, the Iranian military issued a statement on Monday stating that a U.S. destroyer in the Gulf of Oman had turned off its radar in an attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz and, upon reactivating it, immediately received a radio warning from the Iranian navy. The statement said that after the U.S. destroyer ignored an initial warning, the Iranian navy conducted warning shots near the vessel, including launching cruise missiles, rockets, and drones. Iran also claimed that a U.S. warship, after disregarding warnings, was struck by a missile and forced to turn back. The U.S. military denied this, stating that no U.S. naval vessel had been hit by an Iranian missile, and later clarified that the missile destroyer had transited the strait and was conducting missions in the Gulf to assist stranded ships.
According to CCTV, Iranian First Vice President Aref stated on Monday that controlling the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's legitimate right, a capability that provides important protection against external pressure. Iran does not seek war, but if war is imposed, it will respond decisively.
The UAE stated it intercepted over a dozen Iranian missiles and multiple drones on Monday; an Iranian military official claimed the oil facility fire resulted from U.S. military adventurism. According to Xinhua, the UAE Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Monday confirming that the country's air defense systems had intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones launched from Iran. The attacks resulted in three injuries. Earlier on Monday evening, the UAE Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense systems were actively countering missile and drone attacks from Iran, with sounds heard across the country resulting from interceptions, and multiple air raid alerts issued to residents throughout the day.
Additionally, Xinhua reported that the Fujairah Media Office stated a drone attack from the direction of Iran caused a fire in the Fujairah oil industrial zone, injuring three Indian nationals with moderate injuries. The injured were hospitalized for necessary treatment. The report noted that the attack on the Fujairah oil industrial zone marked the first such incident in the UAE since the temporary ceasefire between the U.S., Israel, and Iran on April 8. The UAE issued multiple mobile alerts to citizens on Monday warning of a "potential missile threat" and urging the public to take necessary precautions immediately.
According to CCTV, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday strongly condemning Iran's repeated missile and drone attacks on the country's civilian facilities, which injured three Indian citizens. The statement described these attacks as a "dangerous escalation" that seriously threatens the nation's security, stability, and territorial integrity, constituting a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter. The UAE emphasized it will not tolerate any infringement on its security and sovereignty, will exercise its full rights under international law, and will respond to these attacks to safeguard its sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens and residents. The statement also stressed that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are entirely unacceptable and must cease, with Iran held accountable.
However, citing Iranian media reports, Xinhua stated that a senior Iranian military official said on Monday that Iran had no plans to attack the UAE. According to CCTV News, an informed Iranian military official commented on reports of a large fire at oil facilities in Fujairah port, stating that Iran had no premeditated plan to attack the port's oil facilities; the incident was caused by U.S. military adventurism—specifically, U.S. forces attempting to open an illegal channel for vessels to pass through a prohibited route in the Strait of Hormuz—for which the U.S. military must bear responsibility. The Iranian official stated that U.S. politicians must cease resorting to force in diplomacy and end military adventures in this sensitive oil-producing region that impacts the global economy. Citing Iranian media, CCTV reported an Iranian military source as saying, "If the UAE becomes Israel's 'pawn' and makes a mistake, they will receive a lesson they will never forget." The source emphasized that if the UAE "takes irrational action," all its interests "will become targets for Iran," and no UAE facility "will be safe."
An explosion occurred on a vessel operated by a South Korean company in the inner Strait of Hormuz. According to Xinhua, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Panama-flagged vessel operated by a South Korean company, anchored in the inner Strait of Hormuz near UAE waters, exploded and caught fire on Monday. The vessel had six South Korean crew members and 18 foreign crew members; no casualties were reported initially, with the cause of the explosion and specific damages still under investigation. South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it would maintain close communication with relevant countries and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of South Korean vessels and crew.
U.S. Treasury Secretary states U.S. fully controls strait; new navigation operation will lower oil prices. U.S. Treasury Secretary Besant stated earlier on Monday that, through the maritime blockade on Iran, the U.S. has gained complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's free navigation plan for the strait was not coordinated with Iran, and this new U.S. action will help lower oil prices. Besant described high fuel prices as a "temporary anomaly" expected to end within weeks or months. He noted the global oil supply shortfall is 8 to 10 million barrels per day, with some large tankers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz each carrying about 2 million barrels. He expressed confidence that oil prices would fall after the war, leading to a global oil surplus.
Diplomatic negotiations continue but progress is slow. Despite escalating military tensions, citing U.S. media reports, Xinhua indicated that diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran have not completely halted. U.S. Presidential Envoy and Trump's son-in-law continue to exchange negotiation proposals with Iran's Foreign Minister. A senior U.S. official stated, "Negotiations are ongoing; both sides have presented terms. We don't like their proposal, and they don't like ours." The official also mentioned that uncertainty regarding the health of Iran's Supreme Leader has caused delays in communication, slowing the negotiation process. The envoy is reportedly optimistic about reaching a deal and continues to advise Trump to keep negotiating, though other senior U.S. officials are noticeably more pessimistic.
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