War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

United States Central Command (Centcom) says that 50 commercial vessels have been redirected by US forces to “ensure compliance” with Washington’s naval blockade.

The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi has acknowledged that three Indian nationals have been wounded in an Iranian strike on the Fujairah oil terminal.

In a post on X, the embassy says, “We are in touch with local authorities for ensuring adequate medical care and welfare of the affected Indian nationals.”

US President Donald Trump has threatened that Iran will be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attack US vessels carrying out “Project Freedom” in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.

The US president tells Fox News he believes Iran has become “much more malleable” in peace negotiations and emphasises that the US military build-up in the region is continuing.

“We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump tells Fox News’ Trey Yingst.

“We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it.”

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has announced it is reintroducing distance learning from Tuesday (May 5) until Friday (May 8), for students, teachers and administrative staff across nurseries and all public and private schools nationwide.

“This measure is being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the educational community,” the ministry says on X. “The situation will be reviewed on Friday, 8 May 2026, and the period may be extended if necessary.”

The United States and Gulf nations are drafting a UN Security Council resolution designed to condemn Iran for blocking the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US-Israeli bombing campaign, Reuters reports citing Washington’s Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz.

Waltz says negotiations will take place this week on the resolution, which comes after permanent Security Council members Russia and China blocked a resolution last month that Washington hoped would galvanise international efforts to restore freedom of navigation of the waterway.

The US is co-drafting the new resolution with Bahrain with input from Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Waltz tells reporters, adding that it is expected to require Iran to cease attacks on merchant shipping and attempts to impose tolls on shipping in the strait

It is further expected that it will demand that Iran stop placing sea mines and disclose the locations of mines.

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US President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, has called on South Korea to join US efforts to protect ship movements near Iran, Reuters reports.

He adds that War Secretary Pete Hegseth will hold a press conference on Tuesday with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar says the world should prepare for the energy price and supply crisis, stemming from the Iran war, potentially lasting longer, Reuters reports.

Speaking to broadcaster TVNET, Bayraktar added that Turkiye is not experiencing any supply issues at the moment, but that certain developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates from OPEC last month add to the uncertainties.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has discussed evolving regional developments with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who lauded “Pakistan’s efforts to promote engagement and mediation between the parties”, according to the Foreign Office (FO).

“DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy in pursuit of regional and global peace and stability,” the FO says in a post on X.

“They also discussed global economic implications and other wider impacts of the conflict,” it adds. “Both sides agreed to remain in close contact on bilateral matters, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest.”

President Donald Trump has downplayed tensions after US warships entered the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran had “taken some shots” but caused no harm apart from damage to a South Korean vessel, AFP reports.

“Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait,” Trump says on his Truth Social platform as oil prices jump over the renewed hostilities.

Iran had “no plans” to target the United Arab Emirates, AFP reports citing Iranian state television, after the UAE accused Tehran of fresh attacks.

A senior Iranian military official says “Iran had no plans to target the UAE”, state broadcaster IRIB reports.

The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry has issued a statement condemning the “treacherous” Iranian missile and drone attacks, Al Jazeera reports.

The ministry says it reserves its “full and legitimate right” to respond to the attacks, which it describes as a serious escalation that poses a direct threat to the country’s security.

The US military has destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones fired by Tehran, as the US launched an operation to free up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports, citing US Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of Central Command (Centcom).

Cooper says he “strongly advised” Iranian forces to remain clear of US military assets as it launches the operation. He adds that a US blockade of Iranian ports also remains in effect and is exceeding expectations.

Omani state media reports that a residential building in the Bukha governorate was “targeted”, leaving two expatriates injured and damage to four vehicles.

“The competent authorities are investigating the facts, affirming their commitment to taking all measures to ensure the security and safety of citizens and residents,” the Oman News Agency says in a post on X.

Brent oil prices have shot up more than five per cent on intensifying tensions over the Strait of Hormuz as Emirati authorities said an energy installation had been struck by a drone, AFP reports.

Near 1535 GMT (8:35pm PKT), Brent oil futures have jumped 5.2pc to $113.78 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 3.1pc to $105.11 a barrel.

The Fujairah Media Office reports that three Indian nationals have been injured following a drone strike on an oil terminal.

“The competent authorities in the Emirate of Fujairah announced that three Indian nationals sustained moderate injuries and were transferred to the hospital to receive the necessary treatment,” the office says on X, adding that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

“The authorities also urged the public to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information,” the media office adds.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed on X that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of the UAE air defence systems intercepting “ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones”.

“UAE Air Defences system are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats,” the ministry said.

Hezbollah says its forces have clashed with Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon near the border, where Israeli forces are continuing to carry out operations despite a ceasefire, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the group said Israeli troops had attempted to advance near the town of Deir Seryan, inside the Israeli-declared “yellow line” where residents have been told not to return, but its fighters “opened fire on the enemy force and engaged in heavy clashes with them”.

UAE’s defence ministry says four projectiles have been launched from Iran, three of which were intercepted and one fell into the sea, according to Al Jazeera.

Fujairah’s media office says a “large fire broke out” at the petroleum industrial site in the emirate after a drone attack from Iran, Al Jazeera reports.

This follows the UAE’s Defence Ministry saying four missiles were launched earlier.

Israel’s military has warned it will carry out attacks in the Lebanese towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Mayfadoun, Qalaouiyah, Burj Qalaouiyah, al-Majadel and Srifa, and threatened their residents to immediately leave, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the army’s spokesman demanded all residents of those villages move into open areas that are at least 1,000 metres away.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has rejected US claims that two merchant vessels recently crossed the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency, the IRGC states no commercial vessels or tankers have crossed the waterway in the past few hours.

“Claims by US officials are baseless and complete lies,” the statement reads.

Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has said that the system of managing the Strait of Hormuz is unchanged and that civilian and commercial vessels complying with the IRGC Navy transit protocols and using the designated route will be granted safe passage, state media reports.

The spokesperson, whose comments were carried by Press TV, warns, Any maritime activity that contradicts the IRGC Navy’s declared rules will face serious consequences, and violating vessels will be stopped by force.

“All shipping companies and cargo insurers are urged to follow IRGC advisories and official notices,” he adds.

Seoul says that an “explosion and fire” struck a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reports.

The foreign ministry says that around 8:40pm in Seoul (4:40pm PKT), “an explosion and fire occurred on a vessel operated by a South Korean shipping company … anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates inside the Strait of Hormuz”, adding that there were “no casualties to date”.

Jordan has condemned Iranian drone attacks on an Emirati oil tanker, calling the incident “a blatant violation” of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs affirmed in a statement Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of this attack, emphasising Jordan’s absolute solidarity with the sisterly United Arab Emirates, and its full support for all steps it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens,” the foreign ministry says.