Day 67 | US and Iranian militaries trade shots as Strait of Hormuz tensions escalate
The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is facing growing strain after both sides exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a broader escalation in the region. Tensions deepened further after the United Arab Emirates, a key US ally, announced that its air defenses intercepted 19 Iranian missiles and drones on Monday.
US President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Iranian forces, saying they would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attempted to target American ships in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf. He also brushed aside recent polls indicating growing public dissatisfaction in the United States over the ongoing conflict.
The renewed instability has already rattled global markets, with oil prices climbing and stocks slipping amid concerns over the safety of one of the world’s most critical shipping routes. Energy analysts have warned that average gasoline prices in the United States could rise to $5 per gallon if the strait remains closed for an extended period.
Meanwhile, tensions are also intensifying on another front. In Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared that “there is no ceasefire,” as the Iranian-backed group continued exchanging fire with Israeli forces, raising concerns that the conflict could widen beyond the Gulf.
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Read more: Day 68 | Trump halts Hormuz escorts to push for deal with Iran
Rubio says offensive stage of Iran war is 'over'
Trump says ‘Project Freedom’ paused as US, Iran near possible deal
Trump says “Project Freedom” will be paused as he claims progress toward a possible US-Iran agreement.
US President Donald Trump said the United States and its partners have agreed to temporarily pause “Project Freedom,” a naval initiative aimed at securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a potential agreement with Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed requests from Pakistan and other countries and came after what he described as “tremendous military success” during the US campaign against Iran.
He added that “great progress” had been made toward a “complete and final agreement” with Iranian representatives, though he did not provide details on the terms or participants in the talks.
According to Trump, the blockade would remain in place, but operations under “Project Freedom”, which he described as the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, would be paused temporarily “to see whether or not the agreement can be finalized and signed.”
Iran warns UAE over cooperation with US, accuses Abu Dhabi of hostile conduct
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has accused the UAE of acting against good neighbourly principles through cooperation with the United States, saying Iranian defensive measures were directed solely at countering American actions, and urging Abu Dhabi to avoid any involvement in activities it says are hostile to Iran.
Cargo vessel struck by “unknown projectile” in Strait of Hormuz, UK agency reports
The UK Maritime Trade Operations says a verified source reported a cargo ship was hit by an “unknown projectile” while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio says offensive stage of Iran war is 'over'
The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday, echoing statements to Congress nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire.
"The operation is over, Epic Fury, as the president notified Congress. We're done with that stage of it," Rubio told reporters at the White House.
Rubio plays down Trump rift with pope before Vatican trip
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought Tuesday to play down President Donald Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV before the top American diplomat, a devout Catholic, meets the pontiff.
"Obviously we had some stuff that happened," Rubio told reporters at the White House. "There's a lot to talk about with the Vatican."
Iran military denies drone, missile attacks on UAE
Iran denies launching any missile or drone attacks on the UAE, rejects Abu Dhabi’s claims, and warns of a “decisive response” if any action is taken from Emirati territory against Iranian interests.
'Israel' military chief says ready to 'respond with force' if attacked by Iran
'Israel's' military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said on Tuesday that the country was prepared to respond "with force" to any attack by Iran.
"The IDF remains on high alert across all fronts. We are closely monitoring developments in the Persian Gulf and are prepared to respond with force to any attempt to harm Israel," Zamir said at a ceremony marking the appointment of the new air force chief.
'Israel' ready to deploy 'entire air force' against Iran if needed: new chief
'Israel's' new air force chief said on Tuesday that the country was prepared to deploy its entire fleet of fighter jets against Iran if necessary.
"We are closely monitoring the developments in Iran and are prepared to deploy the entire air force eastward if required," Major General Omer Tischler said at a ceremony where he assumed command from his predecessor Tomer Bar.
Pakistan urges dialogue as tensions mount between US and Iran
Pakistan’s military leadership has called for restraint between the United States and Iran, saying de-escalation and respect for sovereignty are key to preventing a wider conflict, as Asim Munir continues outreach to both sides.
Iran’s navy says only Iran-approved paths are safe in Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy warns that only routes designated by Tehran are safe for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, vowing a firm response to any ships deviating from them.
Iranian President condemning US: Power without ethics is meaningless
In a pointed statement released on X, Tuesday, the Iranian President criticized the current international landscape, characterized by "chaos, oppression, injustice, and piracy," as the inevitable result of politics being reduced to "mere power."
Drawing on Iranian national tradition and religious knowledge, he argued that "power without ethics is meaningless," asserting that Iran serves as a model of "ethical and responsible power" in direct contrast to its enemies, whom he described as embodying "irresponsible and unaccountable power."
Trump: We have completely destroyed the Iranian army
United States President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the US has completely demolished the Iranian army.
US President Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran on Tuesday, describing the Iranian leadership as "mentally ill" individuals and vowing that his administration will never allow "madmen" to possess nuclear capabilities.
Trump stated that the Iranian regime is currently in survival mode and is eager to negotiate a new deal with the United States. While asserting that "Iran wants a deal," the President cautioned that Tehran continues to "play games" in its diplomatic approach.
He revealed on Tuesday that 111 highly sophisticated missiles were fired at a U.S. aircraft carrier -believed to be the USS Abraham Lincoln- during recent military operations.
The US President lauded American defense capabilities, stating that "every single one" of the incoming projectiles was knocked down and now lies at the bottom of the sea.
“Iran wants to make a deal,” Trump said. “What I don’t like about Iran is they’ll talk to me with such great respect and then they’ll go on television and they’ll say, ‘We did not speak to the President.’”
“So, they play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal,” he said. “And who wouldn’t? When your military is totally gone, we can do anything we want to them. Who wouldn’t, please?”
Interception sounds heard across UAE for second day as air defenses respond to threats
UAE Ministry of Defense assured residents that the sounds reported in multiple areas are the result of air defense systems intercepting incoming missiles and drones for the second consecutive day.
Authorities confirmed operations are ongoing against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles, while urging the public to stay alert.
UAE air defenses engage massive Iranian missile and drone attack
The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed that its air defense systems are currently intercepting a wave of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones launched from Iran, with loud explosions reported across several areas of the country as engagement operations continue.
'Israeli' military claims intercepting aerial targets over southern Lebanon
The 'Israeli' military announced on Tuesday that its air force intercepted several "hostile" aerial targets in an area of southern Lebanon where ground troops are operating, claiming neutralizing the threat before it could cross into 'Israeli' territory.
US Secretary of War: We do not seek combat
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the primary objective of "Project Freedom" is to safeguard international commercial vessels from Iranian aggression and ensure the unhindered flow of global trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
Hegseth stated that Iran is actively harassing and opening fire on maritime vessels in an effort to illegally impose transit fees on international shipping within the region.
US Secretary of War announced that the United States has successfully imposed total control over the Strait of Hormuz using naval vessels and attack helicopters to guarantee the secure transit of merchant ships, he added that Iran no longer maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Hegseth stated that while the United States is not seeking a fight, it cannot permit Iran to prevent innocent countries from exercising their right to transit through a vital international maritime passage.
He assured that the United States will use force in order to help others and maintain global stability.
Hegseth confirmed that "Project Freedom" is temporary and urged nations to support it.
US Secretary of War asserted that international waterways are the collective property of all countries and cannot be claimed by Iran as a private territory for the illegal collection of transit fees.
He added that the naval blockade on Iran is holding strong and affirmed the United States' ability to successfully escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Menwhile, he assured that the ceasefire is still ongoing and is not over yet, following that the US hopes to reach a deal with Iran, however the United States is keeping a close watch over the situation.
Hegseth highlited that US President Trump will personally determine whether any specific developments or escalations constitute a violation of the existing ceasefire.
He also called on Iran to exercise restraint to ensure its actions do not violate the current ceasefire, while expressing hope that Tehran will choose to negotiate a new agreement to permanently abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Hegseth assured that the Pentagon is on standby for full military action against Iran while expressing hope that the situation does not escalate in that direction.
He concluded his statements noting that the Iranian regime is facing significant "embarrassment" as the United States successfully maintains its global blockade
‘Israel’, US coordinating on potential “short campaign” against Iran: CNN
‘Israeli’ and the United States are coordinating on the possibility of returning to war with Iran, as talks stay deadlocked in the fragile truce, CNN reports.
An ‘Israeli’ source told CNN the coordination includes a potential new round of strikes on Iran, which would be focused on energy infrastructure and killing senior Iranian officials.
“The intention would be to carry out a short campaign aimed at pressuring Iran into further concessions in negotiations,” the ‘Israeli’ source told CNN.
However, any decision to return to war is up to US President Donald Trump, the report adds.
First Russian oil reaches Japan since Hormuz closure
- Japan receives first shipment of Russian oil since the start of the Iran war.
- The Taiyo Oil tanker arrived in western Japan as Tokyo seeks to offset the loss of Middle Eastern supplies.
Japan has taken delivery of its first stockpile of Russian oil since the onset of the Iran war, marking a critical move to secure energy supplies after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports from the Asahi Shimbun and TV Tokyo, a tanker carrying crude produced at the Sakhalin-2 natural gas development project docked at the coast of Imabari in western Japan on Monday.
The shipment was received by the wholesaler Taiyo Oil following a direct request from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
While the company has not officially confirmed the details, the arrival highlights Japan's desperate search for alternative energy sources as the regional conflict in the Middle East continues to stifle global distribution.
Diversification in the shadow of war
Japan historically depends on the Middle East for approximately 95% of its oil imports. However, that supply chain was severed in late February when Tehran effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz following strikes between 'Israel', the United States, and Iran.
This maritime bottleneck has forced Tokyo to look toward the Sakhalin region in Russia’s Far East.
The Sakhalin-2 project remains one of the few Russian energy ventures not subject to the global economic sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
This legal exemption has allowed Japan to maintain a stake in the project, which has now become a vital lifeline for the nation’s energy security.
Regional economic impact
The global supply squeeze is placing unprecedented pressure on the Asia-Pacific region.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the crisis on Monday following bilateral talks with her Australian counterpart, describing the current energy environment as having an "enormous impact" on the Japanese economy.
"Japan and Australia will respond urgently to secure stable energy supplies," Takaichi said.
Indicating that further coordination with regional allies is expected to mitigate the fallout from the ongoing naval blockade.
The arrival of Russian oil is seen by analysts as a necessary, albeit controversial, tactical shift to prevent domestic energy shortages as Project Freedom attempts to reopen traditional shipping lanes.
