The US and Iran clashed over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump threatening to "blow up" the area. Since the ceasefire, the UAE was attacked for the first time, but Iran claimed they did not plan the attack on the UAE.

The tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz suddenly escalated. The US military announced the forced escort of merchant ships through the strait, as Iranian fast boats opened fire but failed to disrupt. On the same day, the UAE was attacked by missiles and drones, leading to a sharp increase in regional conflict risks. According to reports, General Cooper, commander of the US Central Command, stated on Monday that the US military had "opened a free passage channel" in the Strait of Hormuz, assisting two ships flying the American flag to successfully pass through. Cooper said that Iran attempted to fire on commercial ships to disrupt them, but failed, while also warning Iranian forces to stay away from US military assets. Additionally, as reported by Xinhua citing a statement from the Iranian military, Iranian forces carried out warning shots against a US destroyer. During the midday trading on Monday, US stocks announced that President Trump had issued a warning to Iran regarding the plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, stating that if Iran attacks US ships, they will be "blown off the face of the earth." He also mentioned that the US has more ammunition than before, and military bases in the Middle East are armed, asserting that "Iran is now more likely to compromise in negotiations." Trump also suggested on social media that South Korea should participate in the US-led operation in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that South Korea should join the action after Iran fired at a "South Korean ship." Meanwhile, as reported by Xinhua, the UAE's Ministry of Defense released a statement on Monday indicating that the country's air defense system intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 drones launched from Iran. The UAE also confirmed that the Fujairah oil industry region was set on fire due to the attack. Iranian media quoted senior Iranian military officials as saying that Iran had no plans to attack the UAE. There are fundamental contradictions in both sides' statements, making the situation highly uncertain and posing a direct threat to global energy channels and regional security. Despite the US claiming to have initiated a plan to guide ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, reports on Monday still indicated that maritime traffic in the strait was basically frozen, with shipping operations remaining stalled. A report pointed out that by Monday afternoon London time, maritime activities in the strait were limited to a few ships, most of which were related to Iran. US military assists two American-flagged ships through the Strait, Trump claims to have sunk 7 Iranian small boats Reportedly, on Monday afternoon US Eastern Time, General Cooper of the US Central Command stated that the US military had assisted two ships flying the American flag through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the opening of a "free passage channel" in this strategic waterway. Cooper stated that Iranian fast boats attempted to disrupt commercial shipping by firing, but the US military responded by sinking six small Iranian boats and intercepting cruise missiles and drones launched by the Iranian side. Cooper suggested that while the US military was working to ensure smooth maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, he "strongly advised" Iranian forces to stay away from American assets. He also mentioned that the US blockade on Iran preventing ships from moving toward or away from Iranian territory remains effective and has exceeded expectations. According to CCTV, Trump wrote on social media about the "freedom plan," stating that Iran had fired on unrelated ships from several countries in the Gulf region, including a South Korean ship. Trump said, "Maybe it's time for South Korea to join this operation." CCTV reported that Trump revealed on social media that US forces had sunk 7 Iranian small boats. He stated that, apart from the South Korean ship, other ships passing through the strait had not suffered any losses so far. Trump also mentioned that US Secretary of Defense Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley would hold a press conference together on May 5. Reported by Xinhua citing US media on Monday, Trump is reportedly tired of the stalemate in US-Iran negotiations, and the US plan to guide stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a resurgence of hostilities. A US senior official said, "The president wants action, he doesn't want to wait. He wants to pressure and reach an agreement." According to the US media, starting from Monday, the US Navy will assist ships flying the American flag and other commercial ships in crossing the Strait of Hormuz, providing advice on how to avoid mines, and being ready to intervene if Iran launches an attack. A source close to Trump characterized this operation as "a potential start to a process that could lead to a confrontation with Iran." The report also indicated that General Cooper, commander of the US Central Command, had proposed a bolder plan to Trump, which involved sending Navy ships directly through the Strait of Hormuz. A US official familiar with the plan stated that the US military would destroy any missiles or fast boats that Iran used to respond, and if Iran escalated its actions and attacked Gulf countries, the US would fully engage in restarting hostilities. Iran claims to have conducted warning shots on US vessels, conflicting statements from both sides According to Xinhua, the Iranian military issued a statement on Monday claiming that a US destroyer in the Gulf of Oman turned off its radar and tried to approach the Strait of Hormuz, but was promptly radio-warned by the Iranian navy upon turning the radar back on. The statement mentioned that after the US destroyer ignored the first warning, the Iranian navy conducted warning shots around the enemy vessels, including the launch of cruise missiles, rockets, and drones. The Iranian side also claimed that a US warship was hit by a missile after ignoring warnings and was forced to turn back. The US denied this, stating that no US Navy ships were hit by Iranian missiles, and later declared that the destroyer involved had completed its passage through the Strait of Hormuz and was carrying out the task of guiding stalled ships in the Gulf. According to CCTV, Iranian First Vice President Arref stated on Monday that controlling the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's legitimate right and provides essential security against external pressures. Iran does not seek war, but if war is imposed, it will respond decisively. The UAE stated they intercepted over a dozen missiles and multiple drones from Iran on Monday. Iranian military officials blamed the fire at the Fujairah port on a US military adventure According to Xinhua, the UAE Ministry of Defense released a statement on Monday, stating that their air defense system intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 drones launched from Iran. These attacks resulted in 3 injuries. Earlier, the UAE Ministry of Defense stated on Monday night that the country's air defense system was actively responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran, with multiple warnings being issued to residents throughout the day. Additionally, as reported by Xinhua, the Fujairah media office stated that a drone attack from the direction of Iran caused a fire at the Fujairah oil industry area, resulting in three Indian citizens being moderately injured and sent to the hospital for necessary treatment. The report pointed out that the attack on the Fujairah oil industry area was the first such incident for the UAE since the temporary ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran on April 8. The UAE issued multiple alerts to the public through phones, warning of a "potential missile threat" and urging the public to take necessary safety measures immediately. According to CCTV, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday strongly condemning Iran for once again attacking its civilian facilities with missiles and drones, resulting in three injuries to Indian citizens. The statement described these attacks as a "dangerous escalation," posing a serious threat to the country's security, stability, and territorial integrity, openly violating international law and the UN Charter. The UAE emphasized that it would not tolerate any damage to its security and sovereignty and would exercise all its rights under international law to respond to these attacks, in order to safeguard its sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens and residents. The statement further emphasized that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable, stressing the need to stop such attacks and hold Iran accountable for its actions. However, as reported by Xinhua quoting Iranian media, a senior Iranian military official stated on Monday that Iran had no plans to attack the UAE. As per CCTV News, a knowledgeable Iranian military official mentioned that a large-scale fire at the Fujairah port's oil facilities was not premeditated by Iran. The official blamed the incident on the US military's adventurism the US attempted to open an illegal passage for ships to pass through the restricted waters of the Strait of Hormuz, and the US must take responsibility for this. The Iranian military official stated that US politicians must stop resorting to violent behavior in diplomacy and refrain from military adventurism in this sensitive oil-producing region that could impact the global economy. Quoting Iranian media, a source from the Iranian military stated, "If the UAE becomes a 'pawn' of Israel and makes a mistake, they will learn a lesson they will never forget." The source emphasized that if the UAE takes "unwise action," all its interests "will become targets for Iran," and no UAE facilities "will be safe." A South Korean-operated ship exploded in the strait on the inside According to Xinhua, the South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed on the 4th that a Panamanian-flagged ship operated by a South Korean company anchored in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz on the inside, near the UAE, exploded and caused a fire. The ship has 6 South Korean crew members and 18 foreign crew members, with no reported casualties so far. The cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage are still being further verified. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that it will maintain close communication with relevant countries regarding this incident and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the South Korean ships and crew. US Treasury Secretary claims full control of the strait, new action in guiding the strait will reduce oil prices US Treasurer Benson stated earlier on Monday that the US has fully controlled the Strait of Hormuz through its maritime blockade against Iran. He mentioned that President Trump's plan to guide the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was not coordinated with Iran, and this new action by the US would help lower oil prices. Benson described the high fuel prices as a "temporary anomaly" and expected this situation to end within weeks or months. He stated that the global oil supply gap ranges from 8 to 10 million barrels per day, and some large oil tankers currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz carry a capacity of around 2 million barrels each. He expressed confidence that oil prices would fall after the end of the war, presenting a global oil market in surplus. Diplomatic negotiations have not stopped, but progress is slow While military tensions continue to escalate, it has been reported that diplomatic actions between the US and Iran have not completely frozen. US President's envoy Brian Hook and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are still exchanging negotiation proposals with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif. A senior US official stated, "Negotiations are ongoing, and both sides have put forward conditions. We don't like their proposals, and they don't like ours." The official also mentioned that there is uncertainty about the health condition of Iran's Supreme Leader, leading to delays in information transmission and slowing down the negotiation process. Reportedly, Hook is optimistic about reaching an agreement and continues to advise Trump to continue negotiations, while other senior US officials are more pessimistic.