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.
Macron condemns Iranian strikes on UAE
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned reported Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates, calling them “unjustified and unacceptable,” while pledging continued French support for allies in the region.
In a post on the social media platform X, Macron said France would continue backing its partners in the UAE and across the region to defend their territory and security, emphasizing longstanding cooperation amid escalating tensions in the Gulf.
Macron also urged a durable resolution to the ongoing crisis, outlining two conditions: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure freedom of maritime navigation, and the establishment of a strong agreement providing security guarantees for regional states.
Trump may authorize military response on Iran within days: WSJ
US President Donald Trump could authorize a military response against Iran in the coming days, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, as internal debate continues in Washington over how to handle the nuclear standoff.
Officials said Trump has spent days weighing two competing approaches: punishing Iran over its refusal to abandon its nuclear program or avoiding a broader escalation that could deepen US involvement in the Middle East.
According to the report, Trump has shown reluctance to launch a new bombing campaign, instead favoring a negotiated solution aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear activities.
House Democrats label Donald Trump a "liar" in social media post
The official social media account for House Democrats has signaled a shift toward a more aggressive communications strategy, releasing a blunt, single-sentence post targeting President Donald Trump. The post, which simply stated, "Donald Trump is a liar," has quickly gone viral, garnering thousands of shares and sparking intense debate across political lines.
Donald Trump is a liar.
— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) May 4, 2026
US attempts to cross Strait of Hormuz will be met with ‘crushing’ response: Iran official
Yadollah Javani, deputy political officer of the IRGC, warned that any US attempt to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz would be met with a “decisive and crushing response”.
“Trump’s problem today is the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. He knocked on every door during the 40-day war and afterwards, but to no avail,” Javani told Iran’s ISNA news agency.
He said the US leader is seeking to open the waterway by “putting pressure” on Iran.
“This means that America is no longer a superpower; it has faced a superpower,” he said, echoing earlier remarks by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, adding that US losses would far exceed Iran’s.
“The US will test its strength, bring all its might to bear, and will ultimately be defeated,” Javani said.
US secret service shoots armed man near White House
A man armed with a weapon was shot by officers from the United States Secret Service near the White House, according to authorities.
Iran denies plans to hit UAE oil sites
Iranian state television said the country had no plans to attack oil installations in the United Arab Emirates, rejecting circulating claims amid heightened regional tensions.
Araghchi warns of ‘quagmire’ over Hormuz developments
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says events in the Strait of Hormuz show there is no military solution to the political crisis.
In a post on X, he said ongoing talks are making progress with Pakistan’s mediation efforts and warned the US against being “dragged back into a quagmire,” adding that the UAE should also be cautious.
Danish company confirms ship transited Strait of Hormuz with US military protection
Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk confirmed Monday that one of its ships traversed the Strait of Hormuz with US military protection and said that all of its crew members are “safe and unharmed.”
The ship, called the Alliance Fairfax, had been in the Persian Gulf when the war broke out in February and was “unable to depart,” according to a statement from Maersk.
Maersk said that it was contacted “recently” by the US military, which “offered the opportunity for the vessel to exit the Gulf under US military protection.”
After coordination with Maersk leadership and the military, “the vessel subsequently exited the Persian Gulf accompanied by US military assets” on Monday.
“Maersk extends its gratitude to the US military for its professionalism and effective coordination in making this operation possible, and the company looks forward to the Alliance Fairfax returning to its normal commercial service,” the statement concluded.
US Central Command earlier announced that two ships transited the strait on Monday. The Alliance Fairfax is part of the US Maritime Security Program, which pays ship operators an annual stipend to keep a commercial ship registered in the US and available for military use.
Saudi Arabia condemns Iran attacks on UAE
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to express the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of Iran’s reported attacks on the United Arab Emirates, according to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency.
During the call, bin Salman denounced what he described as “unjustified Iranian attacks” targeting the UAE and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for the Emirati leadership in defending the country’s security and stability.
