DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military announced it engaged Iranian forces and sank six small boats on Monday as it moved to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, the United Arab Emirates, a key American ally, reported coming under attack from Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.
The attacks appear to be a direct response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest efforts to secure the strait, a vital waterway for global energy shipments. The U.S. military confirmed that two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on Monday as part of a new initiative aimed at ensuring safe passage.
The UAE Defense Ministry stated that Iran launched four cruise missiles, with three successfully intercepted and one falling into the sea. Authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah reported that an Iranian drone ignited a fire at a crucial oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. Separately, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE coast.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz would alleviate global economic concerns and diminish Tehran’s significant leverage. However, such actions also risk reigniting the full-scale conflict that erupted when the U.S. and Israel initially attacked Iran on February 28, prompting Iran to close the strait. Reports of these new attacks raise serious doubts among shipping companies and their insurers about the safety of transit, especially given Iran’s past actions and threats to continue firing on ships.
Iran has condemned the new U.S. initiative as a violation of the ceasefire that has been in place for over three weeks. The effective closure of the strait, which lies between Iran and Oman, has led to a sharp increase in worldwide fuel prices and rattled the global economy.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, informed reporters that American forces have successfully cleared a passage through the strait, free of Iranian mines. He detailed that Iran launched multiple cruise missiles, drones, and small boats targeting civilian ships under U.S. military protection. Cooper confirmed that U.S. military helicopters sank six of the small boats, asserting that “each and every” threat had been neutralized. He emphasized that U.S. commanders on the scene possess full authority to defend their units and commercial shipping.
President Trump had warned on Sunday that Iranian attempts to halt passage through the strait “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.” He framed “Project Freedom” in humanitarian terms, aimed at assisting hundreds of stranded seafarers in the Persian Gulf since the conflict began. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency dismissed the effort as part of Trump’s “delirium.”
In the UAE, four missile alerts were issued on Monday, urging residents to seek shelter—the first such alerts since the ceasefire began nearly a month ago. Commercial flights bound for the UAE, home to major global travel hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, were forced to turn around mid-air. The extent of the attack on Fujairah, the terminus of a pipeline used by the UAE to bypass the strait for some oil shipments, remains unclear. Fujairah is also critical as the UAE’s main sea access outside the strait.
The UAE’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it termed “renewed treacherous Iranian aggression” and demanded an immediate halt to the attacks. In Oman, state-run media reported that a residential building near the strait was targeted, resulting in two foreign workers wounded, four damaged vehicles, and shattered windows.
Iran’s military command has reiterated its warning that ships transiting the strait must coordinate with them. Major General Ali Abdollahi told state broadcaster IRIB, “We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted.”
The South Korean government reported an explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated ship anchored in the strait off the UAE, with no injuries. It was not immediately confirmed if this was one of the vessels reported ablaze by the British military. Trump later stated on social media that Iran had “taken some shot” at a South Korean cargo ship, without providing further details. The UAE also accused Iran of targeting a tanker linked to its main oil company with two drones while it navigated the strait, though no injuries were reported.
The disruption of this vital waterway has severely impacted countries in Europe and Asia reliant on Persian Gulf oil and gas, driving up prices globally. The U.S. has also warned shipping companies that they could face sanctions for paying Iran for transit through the strait. Concurrently, the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, reportedly turning back at least 49 commercial ships, according to Central Command. This blockade aims to deprive Tehran of crucial oil revenue, hoping to compel concessions in talks regarding its disputed nuclear program and other long-standing issues.
Little progress has been observed in negotiations. Iran’s latest proposal for ending the conflict reportedly calls for the U.S. to lift sanctions, end the blockade, withdraw forces from the region, and cease all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon. Iranian officials are reviewing the U.S. response, though Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei noted on Monday that changing demands complicated diplomacy. Iran’s proposal reportedly excludes issues related to its nuclear program and enriched uranium, which have long fueled tensions. Iran aims to resolve other issues within 30 days and end the war rather than merely extend the ceasefire. President Trump expressed skepticism over the weekend that the proposal would lead to a deal.
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