The United Arab Emirates says its forces are responding to an Iranian drone and missile attack, with authorities in the city of Fujairah reporting a fire at an oil facility. There has been no official comment from Iran.
In a separate escalation at sea, two missiles reportedly struck a US frigate in the Strait of Hormuz after it ignored warnings from Iran’s navy to halt, according to Iranian state media citing the army. The US military, however, said no vessel was struck. Trump, speaking to Fox News, threatened Iran on Monday, saying that the country would be "blown off the face of the earth" if the regime attacked American ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The developments come as US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a naval mission dubbed “Project Freedom,” aimed at escorting stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait beginning Monday morning, Middle East time, amid growing disruptions to global shipping routes.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said multiple countries had appealed for assistance. “Countries from all over the world… have asked the United States if we could help free up their ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote. “They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders.”
Trump said the operation is intended as a stabilization effort rather than escalation. “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,” he added.
He also said many vessels have been stranded for weeks. “Many of these ships are running low on food and everything else necessary for large-scale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner,” Trump said.
“If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will… have to be dealt with forcefully,” he stated.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it will support Project Freedom with a large deployment, including guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned systems, and about 15,000 personnel. “Forces will begin supporting Project Freedom May 4 to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping,” CENTCOM said.
The command said roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade passes through the waterway, along with critical fuel and fertilizer shipments. In a later update, CENTCOM said 50 commercial vessels had been redirected “to ensure compliance” with its ongoing operations affecting Iranian port access.
Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said the mission is essential for both regional security and global economic stability.
In a separate escalation at sea, two missiles reportedly struck a US frigate in the Strait of Hormuz after it ignored warnings from Iran’s navy to halt, according to Iranian state media citing the army. The US military, however, said no vessel was struck. Trump, speaking to Fox News, threatened Iran on Monday, saying that the country would be "blown off the face of the earth" if the regime attacked American ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The developments come as US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a naval mission dubbed “Project Freedom,” aimed at escorting stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait beginning Monday morning, Middle East time, amid growing disruptions to global shipping routes.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said multiple countries had appealed for assistance. “Countries from all over the world… have asked the United States if we could help free up their ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote. “They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders.”
Trump said the operation is intended as a stabilization effort rather than escalation. “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,” he added.
He also said many vessels have been stranded for weeks. “Many of these ships are running low on food and everything else necessary for large-scale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner,” Trump said.
“If, in any way, this humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will… have to be dealt with forcefully,” he stated.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it will support Project Freedom with a large deployment, including guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, unmanned systems, and about 15,000 personnel. “Forces will begin supporting Project Freedom May 4 to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping,” CENTCOM said.
The command said roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade passes through the waterway, along with critical fuel and fertilizer shipments. In a later update, CENTCOM said 50 commercial vessels had been redirected “to ensure compliance” with its ongoing operations affecting Iranian port access.
Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said the mission is essential for both regional security and global economic stability.
