DUBAI, U.A.E: U.S. military leaders said a ceasefire remains in effect a day after Iran was blamed for new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and against the United Arab Emirates.
The key American ally later said it came under Iranian drone and missile attack again on May 5.
A weak ceasefire agreed about a month ago still seems to be holding, while U.S. forces continue trying to reopen the strait, an important route for global energy. On May 4, the U.S. said it cleared a safe path and destroyed six small Iranian boats that had threatened commercial ships.
So far, only two cargo ships have used this new U.S.-protected route, while many others remain stuck in the Persian Gulf. Shipping companies are still cautious, and it’s not clear if U.S. military action will make them feel safe or instead restart the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Iran had effectively blocked the strait, which was a major route for oil, gas, fertilizers, and other fuel products before the war. This has caused fuel prices to rise sharply and unsettled the global economy. If the U.S. breaks Iran’s control of the strait, Iran would lose its main source of pressure, as President Donald Trump pushes for big cuts to Iran’s nuclear program.
The semi-official Fars news agency reported on May 5 that Iran had warned international insurers and shipping companies against transiting the Strait of Hormuz without prior coordination with Tehran.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top general Dan Caine said on May 5 that Iran’s recent attacks have not reached the level of major fighting, and that the day had been relatively calm. Hegseth said the ceasefire was still in place, agreeing with Caine. They spoke before the latest attacks on the UAE.
Iran, however, said the new U.S. actions break the ceasefire. Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, suggested that Iran has not yet fully responded. He said the current situation is unacceptable for the U.S. and that Iran has not even started its full response. He did not mention the indirect talks with the U.S. happening through Pakistan.
Iran also rejected the U.S. claim of sinking six boats. An Iranian military commander said instead that two small civilian cargo boats were hit, killing five civilians.
Caine said more than 100 U.S. military aircraft are now patrolling the skies around the strait.
The Trump administration says that because of the April 8 ceasefire, the president does not need to formally update Congress yet under the War Powers law, which normally requires approval for military action after 60 days.
Up to now, only two civilian ships, both U.S.-flagged, have passed through the route created by the U.S. One of them, operated by Danish shipping company Maersk, safely left the strait with help from the U.S. military on May 4.
Former military officers have warned that reopening the strait is risky and very difficult, even with military protection, which the U.S. is not fully providing right now.
