The administration of US President Donald Trump's efforts to break the Iranian blockade on the Strait of Hormuz resulted in a wave of missile and drone attacks, and the publication of maps of expanded Iranian maritime control, while the UAE warned of a "dangerous escalation", and the shipping sector preferred to wait for security guarantees before resuming transit.

Published on: 05/05/2026 - 04:56 Last updated: 05/05/2026 - 09:12

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US President Donald Trump announced on Monday a new operation to open the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic, in a move that was quickly followed by Iran with a field response in an effort to consolidate its grip on this vital passage.

There were reports of commercial ships being targeted and a fire breaking out in an Emirati oil port as a result of an Iranian attack, in the largest escalation since the ceasefire four weeks ago, while Washington announced the destruction of six small Iranian boats as part of the “Project Freedom” operation that Trump revealed to open the most important corridor for global energy shipping.

The American bet quickly turned into a burden, as there was no increase in the movement of commercial ships through the strait, in exchange for a new Iranian show of force and Tehran’s confirmation of its readiness to respond to any escalation with attacks on its neighbors.

The US military command reported that two American commercial ships crossed Hormuz, without specifying the timing of the crossing, while Iran denied this happening, and denied the destruction of its boats, despite Admiral Brad Cooper warning Iranian forces against approaching American sites.

Tehran responded by publishing a map of an expanded maritime area that it says is under its control, including parts of the UAE coast.

Read also: Trump reveals “very positive” talks with Iran and a naval plan to accompany ships in Hormuz

Seoul announced that a Korean ship had been subjected to an explosion inside the strait, while British sources spoke of an attack on two ships off the Emirates, and ADNOC confirmed that its oil tanker had been targeted by Iranian drones. The UAE considered the attacks a "dangerous escalation" and reserved the right to respond, while transferring classes in schools to a distance education system.

Trump continues to search for a way out of the energy supply crisis resulting from the closure of Hormuz, as Iran keeps the passage almost closed to most ships, while the United States imposes a blockade on Iranian ports.

There are no signs yet of a widespread return to shipping traffic, as companies prefer to wait for an agreement to end the hostilities.

Revolutionary Guard: No commercial ships crossed the strait

The US Central Command announced the presence of destroyers equipped with guided missiles inside the Gulf, confirming that two ships flying the American flag had crossed “safely,” without revealing the identity of the ships or the time of crossing.

On the other hand, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard denied the crossing of any commercial ships during the last hours, and considered the American story “false.”

Tehran also said that it forced an American warship to retreat after firing, before softening its story and describing it as warning shots, while Washington denied hitting any ship.

In the same context, the UAE announced that a fire broke out in an oil facility in the port of Fujairah as a result of an attack by an Iranian drone, noting that the port represents one of the few export ports that does not pass through the strait.

The shipping sector is awaiting clarification regarding the safety of Hormuz

Oil prices rose by more than 5% with continued news of the escalation of Iranian attacks. In his post on “Truth Social,” Trump did not provide clear details about how to pass ships through the strait, while the unified command of the Iranian Armed Forces warned commercial ships and oil tankers against moving without prior coordination with them, hinting at targeting any foreign forces, “especially the aggressor American army,” if they tried to approach Hormuz.

On the political track, the United States and Israel suspended their air campaign against Iran four weeks ago, and the American and Iranian sides held a single round of direct talks. Tehran said that Washington conveyed a response to a 14-item Iranian proposal via Pakistan, which includes postponing discussion of the nuclear file until after ending the war and resolving the shipping crisis. Trump confirmed that he is studying the proposal, but is likely to reject it.

France 24/Reuters

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