(Replace) Might 5, 2026, 4:18 PM GMT+1: Article up to date with UAE reported missile strike in fourth paragraph.
The US performed down the prospect of a return to energetic warfare with Iran after a day of clashes involving ships within the Strait of Hormuz and missile strikes in opposition to the United Arab Emirates.
Assaults by Tehran on vessels within the Persian Gulf and the UAE didn’t represent a breach of a ceasefire, Common Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees, informed reporters on the Pentagon on Tuesday. Talking alongside him, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the truce that started slightly below a month in the past continues to be in place.
Violence erupted on Monday after US President Donald Trump introduced “Venture Freedom,” which he described as a humanitarian effort to information impartial ships stranded within the Gulf by means of Hormuz. A minimum of two service provider vessels transited the waterway with US help in warding off assaults, whereas two American warships entered the Gulf.
The UAE mentioned Tuesday it’s responding to missile and drone threats, having intercepted virtually all of roughly 20 projectiles fired from Iran yesterday.
Venture Freedom is a defensive and momentary operation, Hegseth mentioned, including that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports stays in full impact. Each he and Caine reiterated that US forces are able to resume fight operations if required, whereas calling on different nations to step in to assist.
Greater than 1,550 industrial vessels carrying some 22,000 sailors are presently trapped within the Persian Gulf, Caine mentioned.
Iran warned all ships in opposition to making an attempt to get by means of Hormuz with out its permission. It hit a South Korean bulk service and attacked an empty tanker belonging to the UAE’s state oil agency, Abu Dhabi Nationwide Oil Firm, on Monday. There have been no reviews of accidents on both ship.
The American army fought off assaults from Iranian drones, missiles and armed small boats because it facilitated the passage of the 2 service provider vessels, US Central Command chief Brad Cooper mentioned late on Monday.
The developments got here amid an deadlock between Iran and the US, with the perimeters exhibiting little signal of agreeing to a contemporary spherical of peace talks quickly. Tehran insists Washington should carry a naval blockade on its ports for that to occur. The US says the blockade is choking Iran’s oil exports and squeezing its economic system, forcing it into concessions.
“We see ‘Venture Freedom’ as an try to interrupt the logjam within the strait, which has forged an extended shadow over the worldwide economic system,” mentioned Becca Wasser, an analyst with Bloomberg Economics. “Nonetheless, it carries important escalation dangers, because the outbreak of preventing Monday illustrates.”
Oil declined on Tuesday, with Brent buying and selling round 3.6% decrease at beneath $111 a barrel. It jumped virtually 6% on Monday.
The UAE interceptions on Monday marked the primary such assault on the Arab nation for the reason that truce started. Three Indians have been injured in a strike on an oil terminal part-owned by Vitol Group on the port metropolis of Fujairah. Missile alerts have been despatched to folks in cities akin to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and authorities introduced distance studying at colleges for the remainder of the week.
Iran forged the US transfer as “Venture Impasse” and a violation of the ceasefire. It additionally mentioned talks mediated by Pakistan are making progress.
“Occasions in Hormuz clarify that there’s no army resolution to a political disaster,” International Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned on X. “The US needs to be cautious of being dragged again into quagmire by ill-wishers. So ought to the UAE.”
Right here’s extra associated to the warfare:
- Iraq is providing its patrons big reductions for crude loaded this month, however tankers should transit the Strait of Hormuz to gather the barrels deep contained in the Persian Gulf. The nation has needed to slash manufacturing for the reason that warfare began.
- Chevron Corp. continues to be involved in regards to the protected passage of ships by means of the strait, mentioned Chief Government Officer Mike Wirth. “It looks as if we nonetheless have some points to work by means of,” he mentioned to Bloomberg TV.
- The UAE signaled its foreign money swap talks with the US have been about becoming a member of a small membership with entry to Federal Reserve liquidity traces slightly than a necessity for exterior financing.
Generated by readers, the feedback included herein don’t replicate the views and opinions of Rigzone. All feedback are topic to editorial evaluation. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting feedback will probably be eliminated.

