Day 66 | Tensions escalate in Strait of Hormuz as US and Iran exchange strikes
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday, describing the move as a “humanitarian gesture” aimed at securing maritime passage. Additional details on how the operation will be carried out have not yet been released.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict continues to strain global oil supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and energy markets under pressure. The average price of gasoline in the United States has climbed to $4.45 per gallon, marking an increase of nearly 50 percent since the war began. In response, OPEC said it would raise production, without addressing speculation about the United Arab Emirates leaving the group.
On the diplomatic front, Trump said US representatives are engaged in “very positive discussions” with Iran as both sides exchange peace proposals. US special envoy Steve Witkoff also confirmed that talks remain active, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran is currently reviewing Washington’s response to its latest proposal.
'Israeli' attack injures Lebanese police officer and soldier
The Lebanese army says an 'Israeli' strike on the southern town of Kfarkela injured a Lebanese police officer and a soldier. It added that both sustained minor injuries.
Trump warns that Iran forces will be "blown off the face of the Earth" if they target US ships
US President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces that they would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attempt to target American ships in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf, during a phone interview with Fox News on Monday.
He also said Iranian negotiators were now “far more malleable” than in the past, suggesting a possible shift in diplomatic talks.
Trump has issued similar threats previously, including a social media post last month warning that “a whole civilization will die,” but this latest statement comes alongside reported US military action that could test an extended ceasefire between the two sides.
The president also said on Truth Social that US forces “shot down” seven Iranian boats after Tehran allegedly targeted vessels passing through the strait.
He added that he sees only two possible paths forward: reaching a good-faith agreement or resuming military operations.
Qatar emir condemns Iranian attacks on UAE
Qatar’s emir told the UAE president in a phone call that he strongly condemns Iranian attacks targeting civilian sites and facilities in the UAE using missiles and drones, according to his office.
He also affirmed Qatar’s full solidarity with the UAE and support for all measures taken to protect its security and stability.
UAE announces all schools returning to remote learning
The United Arab Emirates on Monday ordered all schools to return to remote learning for the rest of the week, the education ministry said, following a spate of attacks targeting the country.
"The Ministry of Education announces a decision to shift to a remote learning system starting from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, until Friday, May 8, 2026," read the statement posted by the ministry on social media.
Tehran denies US sank six Iranian boats: state TV
Iran denied on Monday that the United States had sunk Iranian boats, state television reported, after an American admiral said US forces had destroyed six vessels.
"The US claim that it sank a number of Iranian war boats is false," a senior Iranian military official was quoted as saying by state television
Trump calls on South Korea to join Hormuz operation
US President Donald Trump says Iran has targeted “unrelated nations” in the Strait of Hormuz, including a South Korean cargo ship, urging Seoul to join the US-led mission.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump also claimed US forces have “shot down” seven Iranian boats and said there has been no damage to ships passing through the strait aside from the South Korean vessel.
US forces destroy six Iran boats, down missiles and drones: US admiral
US forces have destroyed six Iranian boats and shot down missiles and drones fired at US Navy and commercial vessels by Tehran's troops, a top US admiral said on Monday.
US Apache and Seahawk helicopters hit "six Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping," Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, told journalists.
US forces also "effectively engaged" all of the "missiles and drones that were fired at both us and the commercial ships," Cooper said.
Iranian military official dismisses US claims of sinking boats
A senior Iranian military official speaking to state television on Monday flatly rejected US claims that six Iranian small boats were sunk by military helicopters, characterizing the report as a desperate attempt by Washington to project strength amid the launch of "Project Freedom."
‘Israel’ raises alert levels as security cabinet set to convene Wednesday
'Israeli' military has raised alert levels in “some formations” following recent developments linked to Iran, according to 'Israeli' media reports.
The move comes after a series of regional escalations, including reported Iranian attacks targeting the UAE, prompting heightened military readiness across multiple units.
'Israel’s' security cabinet is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to assess the situation and discuss potential responses.
US CENTCOM commander warns Iran to stay clear of US assets
US Central Command head Admiral Brad Cooper says US forces have sunk six Iranian boats that attempted to interfere with commercial shipping and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones during “Project Freedom” aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Iranian forces were “strongly advised” to stay away from US military assets and added that the US continues what he described as a blockade of Iranian ports.
Cooper also accused the IRGC of targeting commercial vessels, saying US forces are providing protection and will continue countering Iranian attacks.
UAE strongly condemns renewed Iranian drone and missile attacks
The United Arab Emirates has issued a blistering condemnation following a series of "treacherous" drone and missile attacks launched by Iran against civilian sites and facilities within the UAE.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE expressed its strongest denunciation of these renewed acts of aggression. The ministry confirmed that the latest strikes resulted in injuries to three individuals of Indian nationality.
The Ministry characterized the attacks as a "dangerous escalation" and an unacceptable act of aggression that poses a direct threat to the security, stability, and territorial integrity of the UAE.
Furthermore, the statement emphasized that such actions are in flagrant violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Iran says no plans to target UAE, senior military official says
Iranian state television, citing a senior military official, reported that Iran has no plans to target the United Arab Emirates.
No further details were provided by the official, and there has been no immediate response from UAE authorities.
Two injured after residential building in Oman targeted: state media
Two people were injured when a residential building was targeted in Oman's Bukha along the coastline of the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported on Monday.
"A security source reported that a residential building for employees of a company in the Tibat area of Bukha was targeted, resulting in moderate injuries to two expatriates, damage to four vehicles and broken glass in one of the nearby houses," the Oman News Agency said.
UAE reports new wave of missile attacks from Iran
The UAE says its air defence systems are actively engaging incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.
The Ministry of Defence added that sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of ongoing interception operations against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs.
Hundreds of flights delayed or canceled across UAE
Flightradar24 data indicates that around 450 flights have been delayed or canceled across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah amid ongoing security-related disruptions and repeated air defense activity in the region.
The aviation tracking platform showed significant interruptions to scheduled air traffic as airports experienced precautionary measures following multiple missile threats in a matter of a few hours.
Hezbollah targets ‘Israeli’ force inside Al-Bayyadah residence
Hezbollah announced on Monday that its fighters launched a rocket strike against a gathering of ‘Israeli’ soldiers positioned inside a house in the southern Lebanese town of Al-Bayyadah, reporting direct hits as part of its ongoing operations to repel invading forces.
Three injured in strike on Fujairah industrial zone, UAE says
The Fujairah Government Media Office in the UAE says three Indian nationals were injured following an attack on the Fujairah petroleum industrial zone.
UAE faces repeated missile threats as air defenses activate for fourth time in hours
UAE Ministry of Interior issued another notification on Monday, marking the fourth update within hours amid an ongoing security situation involving a potential missile threat.
The latest message follows a fire at an energy installation in the emirate of Fujairah and the UAE Ministry of Defence announced on Monday that air defense systems successfully detected and engaged four Iranian loitering munitions, intercepting three over territorial waters while the fourth fell into the sea.
'Israel' reports Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks in south Lebanon
The 'Israeli' army says Hezbollah fired rockets toward its forces in southern Lebanon, with projectiles landing near troops without causing injuries.
It also reports multiple attempts involving explosive-laden drones targeting its units, saying the attacks hit areas south of the forward defensive line in southern Lebanon.
Flights to Dubai and Sharjah temporarily suspended
Flightradar24 data showed multiple flights bound for Dubai and Sharjah entering holding patterns on Monday amid ongoing air defense activity in the region.
Flights bound for Dubai and Sharjah currently holding. Local reports of air defense activations ongoing. https://t.co/Xv8JfcamE6 pic.twitter.com/MBuKHhgY5U
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) May 4, 2026
