US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights: 'Trump failed across all fronts'—IRGC issues warning over potential military action against Iran

Iran has launched a new regulatory mechanism to assert control over maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, implementing a system that requires vessels to secure prior authorisation before transiting the waterway.

According to a report by Iran's state-run Press TV, shipping companies planning to navigate the chokepoint will now receive electronic instructions from an address affiliated with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA). These communications will detail specific "updated rules and requirements for passage" that must be followed by all international vessels.

Under the new protocols, ships are strictly required to "obtain a transit permit" before entering the Strait, which remains one of the world's most vital routes for global energy supplies. Iranian state media characterised the initiative as "a sovereign governance system" that is now operational in the Strait of Hormuz.

The rollout of this mechanism follows recent declarations by Iran's chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who asserted that a "new equation" governing the waterway is currently being established.

In a statement shared on X, Ghalibaf argued that the "security of shipping and energy transit has been jeopardised by the United States and its allies through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade." He further warned that Iran is fully aware that maintaining the current "status quo" in the region is "intolerable" for Washington.

Expanding on Tehran's stance, Ghalibaf added, "We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America, while we have not even begun yet."

In Iraq's holy city of Najaf, the majestic shrine of Imam Ali stands quiet, its vast courtyards no longer echoing with the multilingual whispers of pilgrims from before the Middle East war.
The absence of tourists leaves nearby shopkeepers and hotel owners with little to do, their days dragging on as they hope for the crowds to return and revive their businesses.

"Iranians used to keep us busy, whether the jeweller, the fabric merchant or the taxi driver. Now there are none," said jewellery shop owner Abdel Rahim Harmoush.

"It used to be hard even to step into the market because of foreigners... Even street vendors drew huge crowds of visitors," the 71-year-old added.

Millions of Shia Muslims from around the world typically flock to Najaf and fellow holy city Karbala every year.

But the regional war ignited in late February by US-Israeli strikes on Iran has stemmed the usual influx of pilgrims from the Islamic republic, Lebanon, the Gulf states, India, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Iraq was drawn into the conflict from the onset, with strikes targeting US interests and Tehran-backed armed groups in the country.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi for talks in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported, without giving further details.

Araghchi was set to "discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments" with Wang, Iran's Fars news agency reported earlier.

President Donald Trump has suspended “Project Freedom,” to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming progress in negotiations with Iran toward an agreement to end the war.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said, “Great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran.”

“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump said.

Project Freedom was launched on Monday to escort ships, stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, out to safety. Trump had announced the operation on Sunday and the US Central Command began implementing it the next day.

A senior Iranian official has issued a sharp warning to Washington while mocking top US leadership, as tensions in the region continue to rise.

Mohsen Rezaee, a former Revolutionary Guard commander and member of Iran’s Expediency Council, criticised US officials in a post on X, saying: “The president of the United States, the secretary of war, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff share one trait: they sell their delusions as achievements.”

In a second post, he warned of potential consequences for US forces, stating: “Iran’s powerful armed forces stand ready. What awaits U.S. forces won’t be Normandy or Sicily; it will look more like Tabas. Don’t indulge in illusions.”

The reference to Tabas points to Operation Eagle Claw, the failed 1980 US mission to rescue hostages in Iran, which ended in disaster.

Regional leaders have rallied behind the UAE following reported attacks on civilian areas, expressing support for the country’s security and stability.

According to UAE state news agency WAM, several leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to condemn the strikes on civilians and civilian facilities.

WAM reported that the leaders “affirmed their solidarity with the UAE and support for measures to safeguard its security and stability, and ensure the safety of its citizens.”

The king of Jordan and the leader of Iraq’s Kurdistan region also held phone conversations with the UAE leadership, underscoring broad regional backing.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with discussions covering Iran, bilateral ties and the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to the US State Department.

The brief readout said the call was held at Lavrov’s request and comes just days after President Donald Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine conflict and ahead of a proposed ceasefire initiative,

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not specifically mention Iran in its statement, saying only that both sides “exchanged views on the current situation in international affairs and Russian-American relations, and discussed the schedule of bilateral contacts,” describing the call as “constructive and businesslike,” CNN reported.

The conversation also follows Trump’s earlier claim that Putin had offered to assist in the Iran conflict, particularly regarding enriched uranium issues.

Israeli occupation forces have closed the main road in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, disrupting movement and access for residents, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

WAFA reported, citing local sources, that forces blocked the road linking the al-Bawaba area and the Old Town using mounds of dirt.

The closure is expected to affect access to key areas, including the school complex, western countryside, and the only entrances to nearby towns such as Battir, Nahalin, Husan and Wadi Fukin.

During the operation, Israeli forces also fired tear gas and sound bombs at residents and vehicles. No injuries were reported.

US President Donald Trump has announced a temporary pause in the 'Project Freedom' maritime operation in the Strait of Hormuz, citing diplomatic progress toward a possible agreement with Iran and requests from Pakistan and other countries.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing international efforts to stabilise maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

Russia and Qatar agree that any attempt to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz by force must be abandoned, the two countries’ foreign ministries said following a telephone conversation between their top diplomats, according to a statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry posted on X.

Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Qatar's Prime Minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani discussed the situation in and around the strategic waterway, which has effectively been closed since the US-Israel war on Iran.

They shared the view that all interested parties should join efforts towards a sustainable settlement, including ensuring the legitimate security interests of all Gulf states and upholding freedom of navigation.

The United States has said it has completed its offensive operations against Iran, even as tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz amid warnings of renewed escalation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran.”

However, Washington warned it is ready to respond forcefully if attacks resume, with officials stressing that US forces remain on alert.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth also warned that any further attacks would face “overwhelming and devastating” force, even as diplomatic efforts continue in the background.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined a shift in Washington’s operational approach in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the US strategy has moved from 'Epic Fury' to 'Economic Fury' under what President Donald Trump has called 'Project Freedom.'

Rubio said: “What we heard is that Operation Epic Fury is now Operation Economic Fury and the United States has shifted towards the programme the US president announced on Sunday… Project Freedom.”

He added that the US is effectively creating a protected corridor for maritime traffic, saying: “Now we understand a little bit more what it entails. The secretary of state says the US is essentially creating a bubble to allow commercial ships to transit the strait, protected by naval and air assets.”

Rubio warned Iran against targeting US or commercial assets, saying Washington would respond forcefully.

“If Iran strikes any US assets or one of the commercial ships transiting the strait, the US would react, and reserves the right to use deadly force,” he said.

An Israeli air strike has hit southern Lebanon, killing one person in the town of Adshit, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

The report comes hours after another deadly Israeli strike was reported in the southern Lebanese town of Deir Kifa.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Iran of enforcing a 'criminal and destructive blockade' in the Strait of Hormuz, saying thousands of civilians remain stranded at sea, prompting the launch of “Project Freedom”.

Addressing the media, Rubio said: "The President announced the project Freedom with the goal to rescue almost 23,000 civilians from 87 countries trapped in the Persian Gulf by the Iranian regime. For over 2 months, the innocent sailors and commercial crew members have been stranded at sea because Iran is conducting criminal and destructive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz... The ships are at the mercy of this 'piracy'... Some of them have been opened fire on and rained down senseless attacks on... These are innocent bystanders and ships of the countries that have nothing to do with any of this..."

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has issued a stern warning to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, tightening its control over maritime routes.

In a statement carried by Fars news agency, the IRGC Navy said: “We warn all vessels that intend to transit the strait, the only safe route… is the corridor previously announced by Iran.”

It added: “The diversion of vessels to other routes is unsafe and will face a decisive response from the IRGC Navy.”

Iran’s oil minister has said restoring damaged energy infrastructure is a key focus following recent conflict-related disruptions.

Mohsen Paknejad said that the reconstruction of oil facilities should be among the country’s “urgent priorities”.

He added that crude production remained stable during the war and that oil exports were “good and satisfactory”.

The US military has said its ongoing mission in the Strait of Hormuz is still in its early stages, aimed at ensuring safe passage for commercial shipping.

A CENTCOM spokesperson told Al Jazeera Arabic: “Project Freedom” is a “temporary” operation creating a “safe corridor” and “security umbrella” over the waterway, and it has “just begun”.

The spokesperson added that ship owners and insurers have responded positively, with the mission focused on enabling safe transit through the critical chokepoint.

Iraq has stepped forward to play a diplomatic role as tensions escalate between Iran and the United States.

Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi said he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and offered support for mediation efforts. In a statement on X, he said:
“Iraq’s position in support of the diplomatic path and the adoption of dialogue to resolve disputes and contain crises, affirming Iraq’s ability to contribute to a mediating role between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has criticised Washington’s approach to negotiations, calling it contradictory amid ongoing tensions.

Speaking to state news agency IRNA, he said: “Our problem is that on the one hand, America is pursuing a policy of maximum pressure against our country and on the other hand, it expects Iran to come to the negotiating table and submit to their unilateral demands. Such an equation is impossible.”

Amid escalating tensions with the UAE, Iran’s military has denied carrying out recent attacks, even as it issued a sharp warning over foreign presence in the Gulf country.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said: “Iran’s armed forces have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the UAE in recent days.”

He also warned the UAE should not “become a nest for Americans and Zionists and their military forces and equipment,” Al-Jazeera reported.

Accusing Abu Dhabi of spreading “unfair media attacks, baseless accusations, and propaganda,” he added: “We warn that if any action is taken from the soil of the UAE against Iranian islands, ports, and coasts of our country, we will give a crushing and regretful response.”

Israel’s new air force chief, Major General Omer Tischler, said on Tuesday that the country is prepared to deploy its full fleet of fighter jets against Iran if the situation escalates. Speaking at a ceremony where he took command from outgoing chief Tomer Bar, Tischler said Israel is closely tracking developments and ready for a large-scale response.

“We are closely monitoring the developments in Iran and are prepared to deploy the entire air force eastward if required,” he said, signalling heightened military readiness amid ongoing regional tensions.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said China has not “challenged” his approach toward Iran, even as Beijing has criticised US and Israeli military actions in the region. Speaking to reporters, Trump pointed to China’s reliance on Middle Eastern energy supplies routed through the Strait of Hormuz to explain its position.

“You know, in all fairness, he gets, like, 60% of his oil from (the Strait of) Hormuz,” Trump said of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China imports roughly half of its crude oil and nearly one-third of its liquefied natural gas from the Middle East, according to official customs data. Trump’s remarks struck a more measured tone compared to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently called on Beijing to “step up” pressure on Iran to reopen the strait. Bessent also indicated that Iran would feature prominently in Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing for a summit with Xi.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports, asserting that it remains unchallenged as part of the broader pressure campaign against Tehran. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said, “The blockade has been amazing. It’s like a piece of steel. Nobody is going to challenge the blockade,” underscoring confidence in the effectiveness of US measures.

Amid ongoing tensions, he reiterated that Iran is seeking negotiations despite its public stance. “They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal, and who wouldn’t, when your military is totally gone,” Trump said.

He also indicated support for intensifying economic pressure on Tehran, adding, “Well, I guess so, because we’re making it fail. I hope it fails. You want to know why? Because I want to win.”

US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Iran’s military capability amid ongoing tensions in the region, suggesting Tehran is weakened and under pressure to negotiate. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran “should wave the white flag of surrender” but is too proud to do so, even as it signals interest in a deal behind the scenes.

“They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal. And who wouldn't, when your military is totally gone?” Trump said, asserting that Iran’s forces have been reduced to firing “peashooters” despite its public rhetoric.

He also praised the US blockade of Iranian ports, describing it as highly effective. “It's like a piece of steel. Nobody's going to challenge the blockade. And I think it's working out very well,” he said.

When asked about potential ceasefire violations, Trump declined to elaborate but issued a warning. “Well, you'll find out, because I'll let you know. They know what not to do,” he said, adding, “If this were a fight, they'd stop it.”

President Donald Trump claimed that Iran would have taken over the Middle East if it had not been for the war, asserting that Tehran is now "trying to survive."

"We have a situation where we have total control. As you know, the blockade's been amazing; it's like a piece of steel. Nobody's going to challenge the blockade, and I think it's working out very well," Trump said.

On the attack on the South Korean vessel, Trump said it was shot at but went alone and was not part of the ships escorted by the US.

"Iran wants to make a deal. What I don't like about Iran is that they'll talk to me with such great respect, and then they'll go and tell television, 'We did not speak to the president,'" Trump said.

"They want to make a deal, and who wouldn't when your military is totally gone? We could do anything we want to them. Who wouldn't?" he added. Reported by Al Jazeera

Trump has said a few words on the war with Iran during the signing of a proclamation on children’s physical fitness at the Oval Office in Washington, DC.
“We beat them very badly, now they’re reduced to little boats with machine guns on the front of them”, he said of Iran, adding an often-repeated line on the destruction of its navy.
“Every single ship they had is resting underwater at the bottom of the sea”, he said.
On Iran’s nuclear programme, he said, “These are sick people, and we’re not going to let lunatics have a nuclear weapon.”
On the war generally, he said the US is doing “Well … We have beaten them badly.”
He also said the US engaged in a small military skirmish, without providing details. Yesterday, US CENTCOM had claimed it sank at least six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz during Trump’s new “Operation Freedom”, which is designed to move ships trapped in the strait to safety.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that its air force shot down two “suspicious aerial targets” before they crossed into the country, after sirens warned of a possible hostile aircraft infiltration in northern Israel.

The military added that interceptors were also launched following alerts of rocket fire in the Kiryat Shmona area. It said the results of the interceptions are still being examined and the incident remains under investigation.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has urged Gulf countries to stop relying on external powers for security, calling the US military presence in the region a “liability” that fuels instability.

​​Speaking to state media, Baghaei accused Washington of using bases and logistical support in Gulf states to carry out aggression against Iran, while insisting Tehran holds no hostility toward its neighbours. He said recent Iranian strikes on regional targets were acts of self-defence in response to actions by the US and Israel.

​​His remarks come after the United Arab Emirates reported that at least 15 missiles and multiple drones launched from Iran struck its territory, including an oil facility in Fujairah.

The United Arab Emirates issued an urgent alert warning that its air defence systems were responding to an incoming missile threat, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for updates. Authorities also cautioned the public against approaching or photographing debris from intercepted projectiles, advising that such incidents be reported to emergency services.

The alert comes amid heightened security concerns following recent missile and drone attacks targeting the country.

The global energy crisis triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could persist well beyond the reopening of the vital shipping lane, potentially stretching into 2027, according to a report by S&P Global Energy.

The agency, in its report, warned that restoring upstream production would take at least seven months even under favourable conditions, including no lasting damage to infrastructure and smooth functioning of supply chains. However, any significant impact on ports, pipelines or loading facilities across the Middle East could delay recovery further.

S&P cautioned that the longer the strait remains closed, the greater the risk that the supply crunch will extend through late 2026 and into 2027, prolonging pressure on global energy markets.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, had requested a call, as tensions rise over the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron said he would speak with the Iranian leader shortly, reiterating France’s call for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations. He stressed that reopening the strategic waterway without “tolls or coercive measures” was the only viable path forward, warning that any unilateral escalation targeting commercial shipping or third countries would risk fuelling a wider conflict.

''France has maintained a consistent position from the start. We call for the cessation of all hostilities, the return to diplomatic negotiations, and respect for all countries in the region,” Macron said. “Tthe only possible option is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ... and the absence of any tolls or coercive measures," he said.

He added, “Any unilateral escalation against tankers, container ships, or third countries is a mistake that fuels war and leads to escalation."

Top US general Dan Caine said that Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have so far not crossed the threshold that would prompt the United States to resume combat operations.

His remarks suggest Washington is continuing to exercise restraint despite rising tensions in the strategic waterway, where recent incidents have heightened concerns over maritime security and the risk of broader escalation.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that “Operation Project Freedom,” aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, is a temporary and limited mission that will eventually be handed over to international partners.

He clarified that the operation is separate from “Epic Fury” and stressed that Washington expects other countries to step up at the appropriate time. Describing the mission as defensive in nature, Hegseth said it is focused solely on safeguarding civilian vessels from Iranian threats and does not require US forces to enter Iranian waters or airspace.

He reiterated that the United States is not seeking conflict, even as it works to stabilise security in the vital maritime corridor.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he will speak with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, to push for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, amid mounting concerns over global energy supplies and shipping security.

Speaking at a press conference in Yerevan, Macron reiterated France’s long-standing call for the restoration of freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway, through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil flows in peacetime.

France, along with the United Kingdom, has been spearheading efforts to form a defensive international naval coalition aimed at securing commercial transit in the strait as tensions in the region continue to disrupt maritime movement.

The United States said that around 22,500 mariners remain stranded in the Gulf and are unable to transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the region, according to official remarks.

​​The disruption to one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes has intensified concerns over crew safety and global trade, as the ongoing standoff and security risks continue to halt vessel movement.

Pakistan condemned the missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, expressing full solidarity with the Emirati leadership and people amid rising regional tensions.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X to express his dismissal of the attack stating Pakistan stands in solidarity with its Emirati brothers and sisters. He wrote, "Pakistan strongly condemns the missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates last night. I express full solidarity with His Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed. Pakistan stands firmly with our Emirati brothers and sisters as well as with the Government of the United Arab Emirates at this difficult time. It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be upheld and respected, to allow necessary diplomatic space for dialogue leading to enduring peace and stability in the region."

The statement followed reports from the UAE that it had intercepted multiple missiles from Iran, marking the first such incident since the April 9 ceasefire with the United States.

Emirati authorities also said an Iranian drone strike sparked a major fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, injuring three Indian nationals. The UAE’s foreign ministry described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and a direct threat to its security and stability.

Pakistan, which has played a mediating role in recent Iran-US talks, stressed the importance of upholding the ceasefire to allow space for dialogue and prevent further deterioration of the situation.

The United States military said it sank six small Iranian boats on Monday after they allegedly targeted civilian vessels, marking a sharp escalation as Washington moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident came as part of a new US initiative to secure commercial shipping routes, under which two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strategic waterway.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said it had come under attack from Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April, raising fresh concerns about the stability of the truce and the risk of renewed conflict in the region.

Israeli air strikes targeted multiple locations in southern Lebanon, including the town of Zrarieh al-Sharqiya and the area of Tebnine, even as a ceasefire between the two sides remains officially in place.

The latest attacks follow a series of Hezbollah operations against Israeli positions in the region, highlighting continued volatility along the border. Despite ceasefire agreements reached in October and reinforced on April 17 after renewed fighting in March, Israeli forces have maintained a presence in southern Lebanon and continued near-daily operations.

The Israeli military said it has struck around 500 locations in Lebanon since the latest truce took effect, alongside widespread destruction of homes in several villages, underscoring persistent violations and the fragility of the ceasefire.

A fragile ceasefire was held despite rising tensions after the United States attempted to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, a move that risks reigniting conflict with Iran.

The effort to establish an “enhanced security area” in the vital waterway drew sharp criticism from Tehran, with a senior Iranian official warning of a response and accusing Washington of undermining regional stability. The United Arab Emirates also alleged that Iran launched missiles and drones at its territory, adding to uncertainty around the truce.

While two US-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on Monday, it remained unclear if more vessels would follow, with ship-tracking data showing limited movement. Iran’s effective blockade of the strait, which carries about a fifth of global oil and gas trade, has driven up fuel prices and heightened economic concerns worldwide, while giving Tehran significant leverage in negotiations, making any attempt to break the chokehold both strategically critical and highly risky.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to China, state media reported, in a move seen as strategically significant amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The visit underscores Iran’s deepening alignment with Beijing, its largest oil buyer and a key economic and diplomatic partner that helps offset US-led sanctions.

The trip is likely to factor into the broader Iran–US standoff, with China’s support providing Iran greater negotiating space even as it shapes the pace and direction of any potential de-escalation.

South Korea is reviewing whether to join U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to help ships transit ​through the Strait of Hormuz, an official ​said on Tuesday, following an explosion and fire on a Korean-operated ship in the waterway.


Trump ​blamed Monday's incident on an Iranian attack, while Korea's Foreign Ministry said the cause of the fire would only be confirmed after the vessel was towed back to port.


The Panama-flagged cargo ship operated by South Korean shipper HMM was empty and at anchor when the explosion and ‌fire occurred.


The ministry ⁠said there ⁠were no casualties and the fire had been extinguished. The ship, called HMM Namu, would be towed to a nearby port for a damage assessment ​and repairs, it said.


South Korea believes the "safety of international maritime routes and freedom of navigation should be protected under international law," said ​Choi Soung-ah, a presidential secretary, noting Seoul's participation in international efforts to normalise global shipping chains.


"In this context, we are watching President Trump's remark related to this," she said. A text message from the Blue House confirmed it was reviewing ​Trump's suggestion to participate in a plan to free up navigation in the ⁠strait.


In a ‌post on social media, Trump said Iran fired shots at a Korean-operated ship and other targets ​as the U.S. ​launched its operation to open the strait. He suggested that South Korea could join the ⁠effort. In normal times, about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied ​natural gas passes through the waterway.


South Korea will send officials to the Gulf to ​investigate the damaged ship, the presidential office said, adding it would take several days to analyse the cause of the blaze.


An HMM spokesperson said the 24 crew remained on board the 35,000-ton general cargo vessel.


The fire had broken out in the engine room and surveillance camera footage showed it had been extinguished, the spokesperson said.


British maritime risk management group Vanguard said authorities would investigate whether the damage might have been caused by an attack, a drifting sea mine or another ‌external object.


In response to the incident, South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Tuesday it had asked Korean vessels in the area to move to safer locations and said authorities were ​in close communications ​with shipping companies and stranded vessels.


The ⁠South Korean government has said 26 South Korean-flagged vessels were stranded around the Strait of Hormuz.


South Korea has so far been cautious about becoming too directly embroiled in the Middle East conflict.


Seoul previously said it would carefully consider Trump's call ​to send ships to ensure safe passage through the waterway, though such a move would require legislative approval.


The country's foreign minister recently sent a special envoy to Iran to discuss the situation in the Middle East.


South Korea already has some forces in the Middle East after deploying a unit in 2009 to escort its merchant vessels sailing near the Somali coast. It has since sent a rotation of destroyers with an attack helicopter and about 260 crew members.

The U.S. military said it fired on Iranian forces and sank six small boats targeting civilian ships as it moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The United Arab Emirates, a key American ally, said it had come under attack from Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.


The U.S. military said two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the strait on Monday as part of a new initiative.


The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses had engaged 15 missiles and four drones fired by Iran. Authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah said one drone sparked a fire at a key oil facility, wounding three Indian nationals. The British military reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE.


Tehran did not outright confirm or deny the attacks but early on Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that both the U.S. and the UAE “should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire.”


In similarly vague terms, Iranian state television earlier quoted an anonymous military official as saying Tehran had had “no plan” to target the UAE or one of its oil fields.


"The incident resulted from U.S. military adventurism to create an illegal passage,” the official said about the oil facility attack, apparently referring to U.S. President Donald Trump 's latest efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy.


Breaking Iran’s chokehold on the strait would ease global economic concerns and deny Iran a major source of leverage. But such efforts also risk reigniting the full-scale fighting that erupted when the U.S. and Israel first attacked Iran on Feb. 28, prompting it to close the strait.


Shipping companies, and their insurers, are unlikely to take such a risk, given that Iran has fired on ships in the waterway and vowed to keep doing so. Iran has said the new U.S. effort is a violation of the fragile ceasefire that has held for more than three weeks.


US says it has reopened a lane through the strait

Iran’s effective closure of the strait, which runs between Iran and Oman, has caused a spike in worldwide fuel prices and rattled the global economy. The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center had advised ships Monday to cross the strait in Oman’s waters, saying it had set up an “enhanced security area.”


Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters that American forces have successfully opened a passage through the strait that is free of Iranian mines. He said Iran launched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats at civilian ships under the U.S. military’s protection.


U.S. military helicopters sank six of the small boats, Cooper said, adding that “each and every” threat had been defeated.


“The U.S. commanders who are on the scene have all the authority necessary to defend their unit and to defend commercial shipping -- as we saw and demonstrated earlier today,” Cooper said.


Trump had warned Sunday that Iranian efforts to halt passage through the strait “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”


He described “Project Freedom” in humanitarian terms, designed to aid stranded seafarers on hundreds of ships that have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war began.


Missile alerts in the UAE for the first time since ceasefire

The UAE condemned what it called “renewed treacherous Iranian aggression” and called for an immediate halt to the attacks.


Four missile alerts were issued Monday urging UAE residents to find shelter — the first such alerts since the ceasefire began nearly a month ago. Commercial planes bound for the UAE — home to the global travel hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi — turned around midair.


The extent of the attack on Fujairah was unclear, but it is the terminus of a pipeline the UAE has used to avoid shipping some of its oil through the strait. The emirate on the Gulf of Oman is home to extensive oil storage facilities and is the UAE’s main sea access outside the strait.


“These attacks represent a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable violation,” the UAE’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X.


In Oman, authorities said a residential building near the strait “was targeted,” resulting in two foreign workers wounded, four vehicles damaged and nearby windows shattered. The report carried by state-run media did not provide further details.


Iran seeks to maintain its grip on the strait

Iran’s military command has warned that ships passing through the strait must coordinate with them.


“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,” Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi told state broadcaster IRIB.


South Korea said Tuesday that a fire on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has been fully extinguished and that none of the 24 crewmembers were hurt.


Officials earlier said an explosion and fire broke out Monday evening on the Panama-flagged ship operated by South Korean shipping company HMM and that the cause was not immediately known. The vessel had been anchored near the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz, and the fire affected its left-side engine.


Trump said in a social media post that Iran had “taken some shots” at vessels including a South Korean cargo ship, without elaborating. South Korean officials have not yet commented on Trump’s call for Seoul to “join the mission” in the strait.


The UAE has accused Iran of targeting a tanker linked to its main oil company with two drones as it navigated the strait. It did not say when the attack occurred. No injuries were reported.


The disruption of the waterway has squeezed countries in Europe and Asia that depend on Persian Gulf oil and gas, raising prices far beyond the region.


The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran for transit of the strait.


The U.S. has meanwhile enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, telling at least 49 commercial ships to turn back, according to Central Command.


The blockade has deprived Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy. U.S. officials have expressed hope that the blockade will force Iran to make concessions in talks on its disputed nuclear program and other longstanding issues.


Little progress seen in negotiations

Iran’s latest proposal for ending the war calls for the U.S. lifting sanctions, ending the blockade, withdrawing forces from the region and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News and Tasnim agencies, which have close ties to Iran’s security apparatus.


Iranian officials said they were reviewing the U.S. response, though Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters Monday that changing demands made diplomacy difficult. He did not give details.


Iran has claimed its proposal does not include issues related to its nuclear program and enriched uranium — long a driving force in tensions with the U.S. and Israel.


Iran wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire. Trump expressed doubt over the weekend that the proposal would lead to a deal.

Iran's chief negotiator in talks with the United States warned on Tuesday that his country has "not even started" in its standoff over the Strait of Hormuz.

"We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; whilst we have not even started yet," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X.

Ghalibaf, who is also the speaker in Iran's parliament, said the actions of the US and its allies had put shipping security at risk, but said their "malign presence will diminish".

The fragile truce in the Middle East was in jeopardy on Tuesday after the U.S. and Iran launched new attacks as they wrestled for control of the Strait of Hormuz.


The ​U.S. military said on Monday it destroyed six Iranian small boats, ​as well as cruise missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump sent the navy to escort stranded tankers through the strait in a ​campaign he called "Project Freedom".


Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said in a social media post on Tuesday that the security of shipping and energy transit had been threatened by breaches of the four-week-old ceasefire by the U.S. and its allies.


The strait is a vital thoroughfare for global supplies of oil, fertiliser and other commodities that has been virtually closed since the U.S. and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28, causing price rises ‌around the world.


Several merchant ships ⁠in the ⁠Gulf reported explosions or fires on Monday, and an oil port in the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a large U.S. military base, was set ablaze by Iranian missiles.


CONFLICTING REPORTS


Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively closed the narrow waterway ​under threat of mines, drones, missiles and gunboats. The U.S. has responded with a blockade of Iranian ports.


Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Monday's events showed there was no military solution to the crisis. ​He said peace talks were progressing with Pakistan's mediation, and warned the U.S. and the UAE against being drawn into a "quagmire."


The U.S. military said two U.S. merchant ships made it through the strait, without saying when, with the support of Navy guided-missile destroyers.


While Iran denied any crossings had taken place, Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged ship, exited the Gulf via the Strait ​of Hormuz accompanied by the U.S. military on Monday.


The commander of U.S. forces in the region said his fleet had ⁠destroyed six small ‌Iranian boats, which Iran also denied. Iranian media quoted a military commander as saying U.S. forces targeted civilian boats, killing five civilians.


Iran also said on ​Monday it had fired on ​a U.S. warship approaching the strait, forcing it to turn around. Iranian officials later described the fire as warning shots.


Reuters could not independently verify ⁠the full situation in the strait on Monday as the warring sides issued contradictory statements.


South Korea reported one ​of its merchant ships, HMM Namu, in the strait suffered an explosion and fire in its engine room, though no one ​aboard was hurt. A South Korean government spokesperson said it was unclear if the fire was caused by an attack.


Also on Monday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported two ships had been hit off the coast of the UAE, and the Emirati oil company ADNOC said one of its empty oil tankers was hit by Iranian drones.


UAE OIL PORT ABLAZE


Iranian authorities released a map of what they said was an expanded sea area now under their control, extending far beyond the strait to include long stretches of the UAE's coastline.


After reported drone and missile attacks inside the UAE throughout the day, including one that caused a fire at Fujairah, an important oil port, the UAE said Iranian attacks marked a serious escalation and it reserved the right ‌to respond.


Fujairah lies beyond the strait, making it one of few export routes for Middle East oil that does not require passing through it.


Iran's state television network said military officials had confirmed they attacked the UAE in response to the "U.S. military's adventurism".


Oil prices eased 1% on Tuesday after climbing by as much ​as 6% in the ​previous session on signs the U.S. Navy is loosening ⁠Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz. [O/R]


The war in the Middle East has cost thousands of lives and roiled the global economy. U.S. and Iranian officials have held one round of face-to-face peace talks, but attempts to set up further meetings have failed.


Trump has said the U.S.-Israeli attacks aimed to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Iran, citing its nuclear ​and ballistic missile programmes, its support for Hamas and Hezbollah and its “menacing activities".


Iranian state media said on Sunday that the U.S. had conveyed its response to a 14-point Iranian proposal via Pakistan, and Iran was reviewing it. Neither side gave details.


The Iranian proposal would postpone discussion of Iran's nuclear energy and research programmes until after an agreement to end the war and resolve the standoff over shipping. Trump said over the weekend he was still studying it, but would probably reject it.


The latest U.S. intelligence shows limited damage to Iran's nuclear programme since the war began, officials told Reuters.


Trump wants to remove Iran's stockpiles of enriched uranium to prevent it from processing it to the point where it could make a nuclear weapon. Iran denies any intention to build a nuclear bomb.

Iran’s parliament speaker said on Tuesday that US actions were endangering shipping and energy transit in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Shipping and energy transit security have been endangered by the United States and its allies through breaching the ceasefire and imposing a blockade,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X.

He said a “new equation” was taking shape in the strategic waterway.

“We know well that the continuation of the status quo is unbearable for America, while we have not even started yet,” he said.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (local) rejected opinion polls showing waning public support for the war against Iran, calling them "fake" during remarks at a small business summit at the White House.


Amid growing indications of public unease over the conflict, Trump criticised polling data that suggested low approval for the military action.


"They give me fake polls," he said. "They did a poll on the war with Iran, and they said only 32 per cent of people like it. Well, I don't like it, and I don't like war at all, but we're equipped better, and we have the greatest military in the world."


The president also argued that survey questions were framed unfairly. According to Trump, pollsters should instead ask whether Americans believe Iran should be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.


"It wouldn't be 32 per cent," he said. "But even if you said that, there'd be a 32 per cent because the polls are fake. I mean, they're totally fake."


This is the second time in recent days that Trump has lashed out at polling related to the Iran conflict. However, it remains unclear which specific surveys he was referencing, as reported by CNN.


As reported by CNN, a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post in partnership with ABC News and Ipsos found that only 36 per cent of respondents believed the United States made the right decision in using military force against Iran, underscoring the apparent divide between the administration's stance and public sentiment.


Meanwhile, during a Fox News interview, Trump also suggested that Iran would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if it attacked US vessels involved in the operation 'Project Freedom'.


According to Fox News, Trump said Iran would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if it attacked US vessels involved in the operation. Fox News also quoted the president saying, "We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before," adding that US military installations around the world were fully equipped and prepared.


He said, "We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They're all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it."


Trump also suggested Iran's stance in negotiations had shifted, saying he believed Tehran had become "much more malleable," while emphasising that US military deployments in the region were ongoing.


Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on said that the American forces had destroyed "seven" small vessels linked to Iran, escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz under "Project Freedom."


In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran had targeted "unrelated nations" in relation to ship movements, including an incident involving a South Korean cargo vessel, and suggested Seoul should consider joining the US-led effort.


"We've shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, 'fast' Boats. It's all they have left," Trump said.


The Truth Social post came as Trump's Project Freedom was launched on Sunday (local time).


US media outlets The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), CNN and Axios have emphasised Trump's chosen word of "guide" rather than "escort" to describe how his new naval mission will work in the Strait of Hormuz.


Trump explained that various nations had reached out for American help to ensure their ships could navigate out of the strategic waterway safely.


Trump noted that these requests came from "Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see."


Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had confirmed that officials are currently assessing a counter-proposal from the United States aimed at halting the ongoing conflict, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that the United States must reduce its demands on the Islamic republic, with negotiations stalled over ending the two-month-long Middle East war.

"At this stage, our priority is to end the war," he said in a briefing broadcast by state television. "The other side must commit to a reasonable approach and abandon its excessive demands regarding Iran."

Negotiations between the two countries have been stalled since a ceasefire took effect on April 8, with only one round of direct peace talks held so far.

A key sticking point has been Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched strikes on February 28, choking off major flows of oil, gas and fertiliser, while the United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

But US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington would begin escorting ships through the waterway, drawing a threat of attacks from the Iranian military.

"By now, the Americans should have learned that they cannot use the language of threats and force against the Iranian nation," said Baqaei.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown that it considers itself the guardian and protector of the Strait of Hormuz and this vital waterway."

He said the strait was a "secure and safe route" for international shipping before the war.

"The international community must hold the United States and the Zionist regime accountable for imposing insecurity on this waterway and for creating problems that are being felt across the world," he added, referring to Israel.

Baqaei told state television before Trump's announcement of an escort plan that Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal "focused on ending the war," and that Washington had responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators.