The United States said its forces engaged Iranian units and destroyed six small boats that were threatening civilian vessels, as it pushed ahead with efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reported that it had come under Iranian attack for the first time since a fragile ceasefire began in early April.
According to U.S. officials, two American-flagged commercial ships successfully passed through the strait under a newly launched initiative. At the same time, the UAE’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 15 missiles and four drones fired from Iran. In Fujairah, one drone strike triggered a fire at a major oil facility, injuring three Indian workers, while British authorities reported two cargo ships burning off the UAE coast.
Iran stopped short of confirming responsibility. However, its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on social media that both Washington and Abu Dhabi risk being pulled back into a prolonged conflict.
U.S. Central Command’s Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces had secured a safe transit corridor through the strait, free of Iranian mines. He added that Iran launched cruise missiles, drones, and small attack boats at civilian vessels escorted by the U.S., but all threats were neutralized. Helicopters were used to sink six of the boats.
Cooper emphasized that U.S. commanders have full authority to defend both their forces and commercial shipping. President Donald Trump had earlier warned that any Iranian attempt to block the strait would be met with force, framing the mission—dubbed “Project Freedom”—as a humanitarian effort to assist hundreds of stranded ships and thousands of seafarers.
Tensions escalated sharply in the UAE, where residents received missile alerts for the first time since the ceasefire. Authorities urged people to seek shelter as four warnings were issued, and several inbound commercial flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi were forced to turn back midair.
The UAE condemned what it described as renewed Iranian aggression, calling the attacks a serious escalation and demanding an immediate halt. In neighboring Oman, officials reported that a residential building near the strait had been hit, injuring two foreign workers and causing property damage.
Iran has signaled it intends to maintain tight control over the strategic waterway, warning that any foreign military presence—particularly U.S. forces—would be targeted. At the same time, a fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the strait was extinguished without casualties, though the cause remains unclear.
The disruption has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, driving up oil and gas prices and putting pressure on economies in Europe and Asia that rely heavily on Gulf supplies. Washington has also warned shipping firms they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for passage.
Since mid-April, the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports, reportedly turning away dozens of commercial vessels. The move has cut into Iran’s oil revenues, with U.S. officials hoping the pressure will force concessions in negotiations over its nuclear program and other disputes.
Diplomatic progress, however, appears limited. Iran has proposed ending the conflict in exchange for lifting sanctions, removing the blockade, and withdrawing U.S. forces from the region, while also calling for a halt to broader hostilities. Iranian officials say they are reviewing the U.S. response, but acknowledge that shifting demands have complicated talks.
Despite denying any deliberate targeting of the UAE, Iranian sources have blamed recent incidents on what they describe as U.S. military provocation tied to efforts to reopen the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz—situated between Iran and Oman—remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. While reopening it could stabilize global markets, the risk of reigniting full-scale conflict remains high, especially after the initial outbreak of fighting in late February. For now, shipping companies and insurers remain cautious, given ongoing threats and uncertainty in the region.
