Iran says US Strait of Hormuz strike killed five civilians as UAE intercepts 15 Iranian missiles and four drones
Iran's Tasnim news agency, citing a military source, said five civilians were killed when US forces hit two small cargo boats in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, disputing US Central Command's account that the strike eliminated six Iranian small boats interfering with commercial shipping. The UAE Defense Ministry said the same morning its air defenses engaged 15 missiles -- 12 ballistic, three cruise -- and four drones from Iran, the first such barrage since the April 8 Tehran-Washington ceasefire, leaving three people moderately injured. President Donald Trump told Fox News Iran would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if it attacks US vessels operating under "Project Freedom."
Iran and the United States offered competing accounts of a US strike in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing a military source, said American forces had attacked two small cargo boats sailing from Khasab on the coast of Oman toward Iran, killing five civilian passengers. "Following the false claim by the US military that it had targeted 6 Iranian speedboats, since none of the IRGC combat vessels had been hit, an investigation was conducted into the nature of the claim from local sources," the source was quoted as saying, calling the strike a "hasty" move driven by US "fear" of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-boat operations.
The commander of US Central Command said the United States had eliminated six Iranian small boats that tried to interfere with commercial shipping in the strait. According to a separate report, two US Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf after fending off an Iranian barrage involving missiles, drones and small boats.
The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defense systems engaged 15 missiles — 12 ballistic and three cruise — and four unmanned aerial vehicles fired from Iran, the first such attacks since the April 8 ceasefire between Tehran and Washington. Three people sustained moderate injuries. The ministry added that since Iranian attacks began on Feb. 28, UAE air defenses have intercepted 578 missiles and 2,260 drones in total, with 13 deaths and 227 injuries recorded.
Early Monday a major fire had broken out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a key energy hub on the UAE's eastern coast, after it was struck by a drone launched from Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there is "no military solution to a political crisis," warning the United States and the UAE against further escalation in the strait. President Donald Trump told Fox News that Iran would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if it attacks US vessels operating under "Project Freedom." The Israeli army said it is on high alert for a possible resumption of war with Iran amid the rising escalation between Tehran and Washington.
The exchange came in a fortnight already shaped by Hormuz-related incidents: on May 3 Germany demanded Iran renounce nuclear weapons while the United States approved $12 billion in arms sales to Middle East allies, and on May 2 the French navy was monitoring ships stranded by Iran's blockade of the strait.
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a ceasefire with Russia "starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5-6," saying "human life is far more valuable than any anniversary celebration." The state-run Ukrinform agency reported the truce will start on May 6. Zelenskyy said no official request had been made to Ukraine regarding the "cessation of hostilities" Moscow announced during Russia's Victory Day celebrations, and that Ukraine would respond reciprocally once the truce takes effect.