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

Iran War Updates: The United States and Iran have intensified hostilities in the Gulf, carrying out fresh missile and drone strikes as they compete for control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route. The renewed clashes come despite a recent ceasefire, raising concerns about a broader escalation in the region.

The latest round of attacks includes reported explosions and fires on merchant vessels, as well as strikes on infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, including an oil port in Fujairah. These developments signal a widening of the conflict’s geographical scope.

The escalation follows the US launch of “Project Freedom”, an initiative aimed at reopening the strait to commercial shipping. The US military has claimed success in escorting vessels and neutralising threats, including the destruction of six Iranian boats. However, Iran has rejected these claims and warned against any foreign military presence in the area.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis, as it is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. Continued disruption has pushed up oil prices and increased shipping insurance costs, reflecting growing uncertainty in global markets.

Both sides have issued conflicting accounts of events, making it difficult to independently verify developments on the ground. Shipping companies have adopted a cautious approach, avoiding the strait amid fears of further attacks.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway, with Iran indicating that talks mediated by Pakistan are ongoing. Iranian officials have emphasised that a military solution is not viable, even as tensions continue to rise.

The evolving situation underscores the high stakes involved, with implications not only for regional stability but also for global energy security and economic stability.

12:34 (IST) May 05

US-Iran war: Iran’s Ghalibaf says US ‘evil will diminish’ in Strait of Hormuz

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said the US and its allies have “jeopardised” shipping and energy security in the Strait of Hormuz by violating the ceasefire and imposing a blockade.

In a social media post, Ghalibaf warned that a “new equation of the Strait of Hormuz is in the process of being solidified,” signalling a potential shift in regional dynamics.
“We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet,” he said, indicating Iran could escalate its response.

Tensions in the Gulf have escalated sharply as the United States and Iran exchange fresh attacks, raising fears of a wider conflict and disrupting global energy routes. The latest developments come amid a fragile ceasefire, now under strain as both sides intensify efforts to assert control over the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Missile and drone strikes have been reported across the region, with multiple merchant vessels in the Gulf experiencing explosions or fires. Iranian strikes also hit infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, including an oil port in Fujairah, marking a significant expansion of the conflict beyond direct US-Iran engagement.

The escalation follows a new initiative by US President Donald Trump, termed “Project Freedom”, aimed at reopening maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, a vital global energy chokepoint, has remained largely inaccessible since hostilities began earlier this year. The US military claims it has secured limited passage, escorting merchant ships and destroying six Iranian boats that it says posed a threat to civilian vessels.

However, the situation remains highly volatile. Iran has warned that any foreign military presence in the strait would be treated as hostile, while also expanding its claimed maritime control area beyond the strait to include stretches of UAE coastline. Tehran has maintained that the US naval blockade itself constitutes an act of war.

Contradictory claims from both sides have made independent verification difficult. While the US asserts that safe passage has been partially restored, Iran denies such developments and has signalled continued resistance. Shipping companies have remained cautious, with many unwilling to risk transit through the contested waters without a clear resolution.

The crisis has already had global repercussions. Oil prices have surged amid fears of prolonged disruption to supply chains, and insurance costs for shipping through the Gulf have spiked significantly. The Strait of Hormuz handles a substantial share of the world’s oil trade, making stability in the region critical for global economic balance.

Diplomatic efforts continue in parallel, with Iran indicating that talks mediated by Pakistan are ongoing. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has stressed that there is no military solution to the crisis, even as hostilities persist.

This live blog tracks all key developments, including military movements, diplomatic responses, economic fallout, and regional security implications, as the situation unfolds in one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints.