Three Indian nationals were injured in a drone attack on the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ) on Monday, May 4, according to the Fujairah Media Office. The injured were taken to hospital, with their condition described as moderate.
Authorities said the strike, blamed on Iran, caused a fire at the oil facility, prompting an emergenciesresponse from Fujairah Civil Defence teams.
Iran says it has no plans to target UAE
A senior Iranian military official said Tehran has no plans to target the United Arab Emirates, according to state television cited by AFP, after the UAE reported being hit by a new barrage on Monday.
Trump warns Iran over ships, says talks showing flexibility
US President Donald Trump said Iran would face severe consequences if it targeted American ships involved in “Project Freedom”, warning of a strong military response.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the United States has increased its military presence in the region and possesses advanced weapons and global capabilities that could be deployed if needed.
He added that Iran has shown greater flexibility in ongoing negotiations but warned that Washington would resume hostilities if a “good-faith” agreement is not reached.
UAE condemns ‘treacherous’ Iranian attacks, reserves right to respond
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has condemned what it described as “treacherous” Iranian missile and drone attacks, calling them a serious escalation.
In a statement, the ministry said the strikes pose a direct threat to the country’s security and stability.
It added that the UAE reserves its “full and legitimate right” to respond to the attacks.
US says Hormuz route cleared of mines, sets up air cover for ships
US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said American forces have cleared a pathway in the Strait of Hormuz free of Iranian mines to enable commercial vessels to pass safely.
He said the US military has also established a “defensive umbrella” over the waterway, deploying helicopters and fighter jets to protect ships transiting the strait.
The measures are part of a broader effort to restore navigation through the strategic corridor, where US forces are supporting operations to guide vessels and counter threats
US helicopters sink six Iranian boats in Hormuz, says commander
US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper said on Monday that US military helicopters sank six Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz after they threatened civilian vessels, the Associated Press reported.
Cooper said the action was part of ongoing operations to secure shipping routes in the strategic waterway, as tensions remain high despite a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
He warned Iranian forces to stay clear of US assets, adding that American forces remain prepared to respond to threats against both military and commercial ships transiting the strait.
Flights to Dubai, Sharjah halted or diverted
Flights bound for Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE are being held or diverted following the latest Iranian drone and missile attacks, according to Flightradar24.
Airlines have adjusted routes and delayed arrivals as authorities manage airspace safety, amid heightened regional tensions.
Lebanon’s Aoun rules out Netanyahu meeting without security deal
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that any meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would depend u7on reaching a security agreement and ending Israeli attacks.
In a statement, Aoun’s office said the timing was “not appropriate” for such talks, despite efforts by Washington to facilitate a meeting.
“We must first reach a security agreement and stop the Israeli attacks on us before we raise the issue of a meeting between us,” Aoun was quĥuhh81qoted as saying.
UAE confirms emergency alerts sent to mobile phones
The UAE has confirmed that a number of emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones on Monday evening, with the latest notification heard in Abu Dhabi.
Authorities have not provided further details on the nature of the alerts, which come amid heightened regional security concerns.
Iran VP says Hormuz control is Iran’s right, warns of firm response
Iran’s First Vice President said the country does not seek war but would respond decisively if forced into conflict, while reaffirming Tehran’s position on regional engagement.
He said Iran aims to strengthen understanding among regional countries and views the Islamic world as a unified entity.
Addressing domestic concerns, he acknowledged rising prices and said the government is working on key reforms to tackle economic pressures.
He also stressed that managing the Strait of Hormuz is an “indisputable right” of Iran and pledged to protect it against external pressure
South Korean vessel hit by blast, fire in Strait of Hormuz
South Korea’s foreign ministry on Monday confirmed that one of its vessels, carrying 24 crew members, was affected by an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry said it is investigating the cause of the incident and assessing the extent of the damage to the vessel.
Iran says it fired warning shots at US ships near Hormuz
Iran’s army said it issued warnings to US destroyers that attempted to approach the Strait of Hormuz after allegedly switching off their radar systems in the Sea of Oman.
In a statement, it said its forces fired warning shots using cruise missiles and drones near US vessels that ignored the warnings.
The military added that responsibility for any escalation in the Strait of Hormuz would lie with the “enemy”, underscoring heightened tensions in the strategic waterway.
Cargo vessel fire north of Dubai, crew safe
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said an incident involving a cargo vessel occurred about 36 nautical miles north of Dubai.
The vessel reported a fire in its engine room, with the cause still unknown. All crew members were safe and accounted for, the agency said.
UKMTO also flagged a separate incident about 14 nautical miles west of Mina Saqr.
Hezbollah reports clashes with Israeli troops in south Lebanon
Hezbollah said its fighters engaged Israeli troops in southern Lebanon near the border, where Israeli forces continue operations despite an existing ceasefire.
In a statement, the group said Israeli soldiers attempted to advance near the town of Deir Seryan, within the Israeli-declared “yellow line” where civilians have been told not to return.
Hezbollah said its fighters responded by opening fire, leading to heavy clashes in the area.
Fire breaks out at Fujairah oil zone after suspected drone strike
Authorities in Fujairah said a fire broke out at the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ) following what they described as a drone strike originating from Iran.
Fujairah Civil Defence teams were immediately deployed and are working to contain the blaze, officials said, with no immediate reports of casualties.
UAE intercepts Iranian missiles
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said its forces detected four incoming missiles from Iran and successfully intercepted three, while the fourth fell into the sea on Monday.
The ministry said defence systems remain actively engaged against missile and UAV threats, adding that sounds heard across the country were linked to ongoing interception operations.
Authorities urged residents to rely only on official sources for updates and to follow emergency alerts, advising people to remain in safe locations until the situation is fully under control.
15 Iranian crew from seized vessel return home via Pakistan
Fifteen Iranian crew members from the container ship Tusca have returned to Iran through the Rimdan border terminal in Sistan and Baluchestan province after being transferred to Pakistan, according to Iranian media reports.
The transfer was facilitated through the key border crossing between the two countries amid ongoing regional tensions.
Hezbollah rejects buffer zone, vows to continue resistance
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has rejected any proposal for a buffer zone in southern Lebanon and ruled out ceding any Lebanese territory, amid continued hostilities with Israel.
In a lengthy statement, Qassem described the current phase as “dangerous” for the region and accused Israel of ongoing aggression against Lebanon with US backing. He said there was no ceasefire in effect, but rather continued attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure.
Qassem said Hezbollah would maintain its operations, using flexible tactics to confront Israeli forces, and insisted the group would not accept any restrictions on its presence or activities. “There is no red line and no buffer zone, and there will not be,” he said.
He also called for national unity within Lebanon and urged authorities to safeguard sovereignty and support citizens, while backing diplomatic efforts only if they lead to an end to hostilities.
UAE claims Iran attacked ADNOC tanker in Hormuz
ADNOC Logistics & Services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said its crude oil tanker m v Barakah was struck by two Iranian drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman. The company confirmed there were no injuries and that the vessel was not carrying cargo at the time.
In a statement, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) condemned the incident, describing it as a serious breach of international maritime law and a threat to global energy security.
The ministry called the attack a “flagrant violation” of UN Security Council resolutions and warned it could destabilise the region and disrupt vital energy flows.
It urged Iran to halt what it described as hostile actions and stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM denies Iranian claim of missile strike on US warship
US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday denied claims that an American naval vessel had been hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the reports “false”.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said Iranian state media had alleged that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a US warship with two missiles, but stressed that no such incident had occurred.
“No US Navy ships have been struck,” it said, adding that US forces are continuing to support “Project Freedom” and enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran claims US ship hit near Hormuz after ignoring warning
Iran’s military on Monday, said its naval forces prevented US warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz with what it described as a “firm and swift warning”.
Iran’s Fars news agency, citing local sources, reported that two missiles struck a US Navy vessel near Jask after it allegedly ignored warnings to halt, though there was no immediate confirmation from US officials.
Iran urges US to scale back demands as talks stall
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that the United States must reduce its demands, as negotiations to end the two-month-long Middle East war remain stalled, AFP reported.
“At this stage, our priority is to end the war,” he said during a televised briefing. “The other side must adopt a reasonable approach and abandon excessive demands regarding Iran.”
Iran internet blackout enters 66th day
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said Iran’s nationwide internet disruption has entered its 66th consecutive day, with connectivity levels remaining severely restricted.
In a post on X, the organisation said the blackout has exceeded 1,560 hours, adding that limited international access through select channels has not restored service for the general public.
Data shared by the group showed network connectivity in Iran dropping sharply in late February and remaining close to zero since, indicating a prolonged shutdown.
Iran asserts control of Hormuz, challenges US naval mission
Iran’s military said the security of the Strait of Hormuz remains under the control of its armed forces, adding that any safe passage must be coordinated with them in all circumstances.The statement, carried by Iranian state media and reported by Al Jazeera, signals a direct response to Washington’s growing naval presence in the region.
The remarks come after US President Donald Trump announced a mission to escort stranded vessels through the strategic waterway, with the operation expected to begin within hours.
The exchange highlights rising tensions over control of the strait, a key route for global energy shipments.
Netanyahu testimony cancelled in corruption trial
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled testimony on Monday in his corruption trial has been cancelled, according to Israeli media.
The decision followed an overnight message from his defence team to the court, though further details were not immediately disclosed.
IRGC warns vessels breaching Hormuz rules will be stopped
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any vessels failing to comply with its regulations in the Strait of Hormuz will be “forcefully stopped”.
Sardar Mohebbi, an IRGC spokesperson, said maritime traffic must adhere to routes and protocols set by the IRGC Navy and coordinate with its forces to ensure safe passage, according to a statement carried by Fars news agency.
He said movements that follow the prescribed guidelines would be secure, while those that do not would face “serious risks”.
Mohebbi also urged shipping and insurance companies to take note of the IRGC’s directives, underscoring Tehran’s assertion of control over transit in the strategic waterway.
IRGC releases map claiming control in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has published a map outlining areas of the Strait of Hormuz it says are under the control of its naval forces, according to Fars news agency.
The map marks the western boundary as a line between Iran’s Qeshm Island and the UAE’s Umm al-Quwain emirate, while the eastern limit is shown between Iran’s Mount Mobarak and Fujairah.
It remains unclear whether the delineated zone represents a shift from previous claims or reflects existing positions.
US releases crew from seized Iranian vessel via Pakistan
The United States has transferred 22 crew members held on board an Iranian container vessel to Pakistan, which will hand them over to Iranian authorities, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Describing the move as a “confidence-building measure”, the ministry said the vessel would also be moved into Pakistani territorial waters and returned to its original owners after necessary repairs.
The ship, identified as M/V Touska, was seized in the Gulf of Oman last month in an incident Tehran described as an act of piracy.
Macron calls for joint US-Iran effort to reopen Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged Washington and Tehran to work together to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, saying cooperation between the two sides is key to reopening the waterway.
Speaking at a gathering of European leaders in Armenia, Macron said a joint approach by the United States and Iran remains the only viable path to resuming safe passage.
He also made clear that France would not join any military initiative without a defined framework, even as Paris and London continue efforts to build a coalition to secure the route once conditions allow.
Hezbollah claims 11 attacks on Israeli troops in south Lebanon
Hezbollah said it carried out 11 operations over the past 24 hours, using drones, rockets and artillery against Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
In a statement on Telegram, the group said the attacks were conducted “in defence of Lebanon and its people” and in response to what it described as continued Israeli strikes on civilians despite a US-brokered ceasefire.
Iranian VLCC evades US Navy, heads towards Indonesia
An oil shipping monitoring firm has reported that a second Iranian Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) has evaded the US Navy and is now navigating Indonesian waters towards the Riau Archipelago.
In a post on X, TankerTrackers.com identified the vessel as Derya, saying it is currently transiting the Lombok Strait in Indonesia. The development follows a failed attempt in mid-April to deliver around 1.88 million barrels of Iranian crude oil to India.
h The firm said the tanker moved south as other vessels were redirected by US forces and is now heading to a rendezvous point in the Riau Archipelago.
It added that another Iranian supertanker, Huge, carrying about 1.9 million barrels, also bypassed US interception and was tracked in the Lombok Strait towards the same area.
About 25 tankers left Iran in April, with seven turned back and two seized by US forces, the firm said.
UKMTO flags critical Hormuz threat
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains critical due to ongoing military activity.
It added that the United States has established an enhanced security zone to support vessel transit through the strategic waterway.
UKMTO advised ships to consider routes through Omani territorial waters and coordinate with Omani authorities amid expected heavy traffic to ensure safe navigation.
US tells Israel Lebanon ceasefire to hold despite Iran tensions
Israel’s Channel 12, citing unnamed sources, reported that the United States has informed Israel that the ceasefire with Lebanon will remain in effect regardless of developments related to Iran.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in place since April 17 and was later extended following direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington.
Despite the truce, the Israeli military has continued strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, resulting in deaths and injuries. Hezbollah, in turn, has carried out operations targeting Israeli forces and launched missiles and drones towards occupied territories.
Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since March 2 have killed more than 2,600 people and displaced over one million, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict.
Iran said on Monday, that all vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz must be coordinated with its forces, warning that any foreign military presence — particularly from the United States — would face a response.
Iran warns US against entering Strait of Hormuz
In a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, Major General Ali Abdollahi of the Iranian military’s central command, said Tehran maintains full oversight of security in the strategic waterway.
The military warned that any foreign force approaching the strait would be targeted, and advised commercial vessels and oil tankers not to transit without prior coordination to ensure their safety.
The statement added that Iran would “maintain and manage” the security of the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that any US action could destabilise the situation and endanger maritime traffic.
US deploys forces for ‘Project Freedom’
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said over 100 aircraft and 15,000 troops will support the mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump announces operation to free stranded ships in Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said Washington would assist in releasing commercial vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue.
“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, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with — They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders!” the President said in a Truth Social post.
“For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he added.
Many ships are facing shortages of food and essential supplies reqy to sustain large crews, he said, describing the initiative as a humanitarian effort.
Trump has said the effort, which he called “Project Freedom,” will begin Monday morning, “Middle East time.”
The conflict, which began in February, has expanded into a wider regional crisis, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre due to its importance for global trade and energy flows.
Iran says any US move in Hormuz would violate ceasefire
A senior Iranian official warned on Monday, May 4, 2026, that Tehran would treat any US attempt to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz as a breach of the ceasefire.
“Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire,” Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran’s parliament, said in a post on X.
Lindsey Graham calls Iran offer ‘ridiculous’
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Iran is “stalling and playing games” in negotiations, describing its latest proposal to end the conflict as “very ridiculous”.
In a post on X, Lindsey Graham expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom”, aimed at restoring shipping movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I fully agree with President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Freedom, which aims to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Graham added that while he hopes the conflict can be resolved through diplomacy, it is “now time to restore freedom of navigation and to respond forcefully to Iran if it insists on terrorising the world”.
China shipped dual-use materials to Iran: US officials
Chinese companies have shipped materials to Iran that could be used for both civilian and military purposes, according to US officials quoted by The New York Times.
The report said the supplies fall under “dual-use” categories, raising concerns in Washington over their potential role in the ongoing conflict.
Officials added that China is maintaining a cautious approach to the war and has avoided taking a firm position, citing the need to balance multiple strategic interests.
They also said US President Donald Trump is seeking to engage China from a position of strength as tensions continue.
Maritime attacks near Gulf waters
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said a tanker off the coast of the UAE’s Fujairah came under attack after being struck by “unknown projectiles”.
“All crew are reported safe. No environmental impact reported,” the agency said.
The incident occurred hours after UKMTO reported that a bulk carrier was targeted by multiple small craft off the Iranian coast, about 11 nautical miles (18km) west of Sirik, highlighting rising risks to shipping in the region.
Iran says 37,000 buildings repaired as damage from US-Israel war mounts
Iran’s Housing Foundation says it has repaired around 37,000 houses and commercial buildings damaged during the US-Israel war, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.
The scale of destruction remains significant. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said more than 125,000 civilian structures across the country have been destroyed or severely damaged by attacks on residential areas.
The IRCS added that 339 medical centres were affected in the strikes, including hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, health clinics and emergency stations, highlighting the strain on the country’s healthcare system.
