Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, announced via a post on X this morning that a “new equation in the Strait of Hormuz” is being established, cautioning that the current “status quo” is an “intolerable” condition for the United States.
As Iran’s chief negotiator, Ghalibaf stated, “The security of maritime shipping and energy transit has been compromised by the U.S. and its allies due to their breach of the ceasefire and the enforcement of a blockade; their malicious intent will ultimately wane.” He emphasized that the ongoing situation is untenable for the U.S., noting that Iran has yet to fully engage in the conflict.
Following the onset of the war caused by a U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28 that resulted in the death of Iran’s former supreme leader, Iran initiated a blockade on foreign vessels traversing the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, President Donald Trump implemented a counter-blockade affecting ships using Iranian ports starting on April 13.
Trump’s recently launched “Project Freedom” aims to utilize U.S. military forces to assist stranded cargo vessels in navigating the crucial waterway. However, this initiative heightens the risk of renewed hostilities, as Iran’s military command has warned that any U.S. naval presence in the strait would be met with force.
In another development, the Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for residents in southern Lebanon, specifically for those in the towns of Jabsheet and Sarafand. Avichay Adraee, the military’s spokesperson, urged these individuals to leave their homes “immediately and move at least 1000 meters away to open areas,” indicating preparations for potential airstrikes against Hezbollah.
Adraee asserted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) feel “compelled to act forcefully against” Hezbollah due to its alleged breaches of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire established in mid-April. Hezbollah, which has targeted Israeli forces in Lebanon, has declared it will persist with its operations as long as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire.
Israel has faced accusations of repeatedly breaching the ceasefire terms, resulting in civilian casualties and the destruction of homes, despite its claims of only targeting Hezbollah installations. The agreement allows Israel to conduct defensive actions against imminent threats.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the recent drone attack on Fujairah in the UAE, which left three Indian nationals injured, calling it “unacceptable” and urging an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure and innocent lives.
According to officials in Fujairah, a fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following what they described as a drone assault originating from Iran. Civil defense units were promptly dispatched to manage the situation, as reported by the Fujairah Media Office.
Live coverage of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has resumed, with recent escalations in the Gulf as both nations vie for control over the Strait of Hormuz amidst mutual maritime blockades, pushing the region closer to a potential full-scale war.
The latest exchanges of missiles and drones followed Trump’s initiation of efforts to facilitate the passage of stranded tankers and other vessels through the vital shipping route, which has been largely blocked since the commencement of hostilities against Iran in late February.
On Monday, multiple merchant ships in the Gulf reported explosions or fires, while the U.S. claimed to have destroyed six small Iranian military vessels—a statement that Tehran has refuted. Additionally, Iran launched drone and missile attacks on the UAE, igniting a fire at the Fujairah oil port.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) reported that two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, with U.S. navy destroyers operating in the region. Shipping company Maersk indicated that one of its vessels had safely exited the strait under U.S. naval protection.
In other significant developments, Trump cautioned that Iranian forces would face severe consequences if they attacked U.S. ships attempting to reopen the strait. He announced “Project Freedom” on Monday to assist the hundreds of vessels trapped in the Gulf.
Centcom chief Admiral Brad Cooper refrained from commenting on the status of the ceasefire with Tehran, acknowledging Iranian attempts to “interfere” with U.S. operations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remarked that recent events demonstrate the futility of a military resolution to the crisis, noting that peace talks mediated by Pakistan are ongoing and warning the U.S. and UAE against becoming embroiled in a “quagmire.”
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards asserted that no commercial vessels had traversed the strait in recent hours, dismissing U.S. claims as false. Iranian state media also refuted allegations regarding the sinking of Iranian vessels by the U.S.
The UK and Saudi Arabia have both called for de-escalation following Iran’s attacks on the UAE, marking the first strikes on the U.S. ally since the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran took effect about a month ago.
Additionally, an attack on a residential building in Bukha, situated along the coastline of the Strait of Hormuz, resulted in injuries to two individuals, as reported by an Omani state news agency.
A fire aboard a South Korean-operated ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which experienced an explosion, has been extinguished, according to the ship’s operator, HMM. South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed that all 24 crew members, including six South Koreans, were unharmed.
