Published by TrenBuzz.com | May 5, 2026 | BREAKING — LIVE UPDATE
Key Points at a Glance – US Sinks 7 Iranian Boats
- The US Navy sank 7 Iranian “fast boats” on May 4 after Iran launched cruise missiles, drones, and small boats at US and commercial ships during Project Freedom.
- CENTCOM Chief Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed the engagement — calling it Iran launching “multiple cruise missiles, drones, and small boats” at ships under US protection.
- Iran launched its first missile and drone attack on the UAE since the April 8 ceasefire — firing at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone which erupted in a “major fire.”
- Three UAE missiles were intercepted by air defenses; a fourth fell into the sea; a suicide drone also struck the facility.
- A South Korean-flagged cargo ship, HMM Namu, was hit in the strait — causing an engine-room fire; crew reported safe.
- Trump told Fox News Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they target US ships.
- Two commercial vessels successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom — Iran called the claim “baseless and entirely false.”
- The ceasefire status is now uncertain — Trump and CENTCOM’s Admiral Cooper both declined to say if it remains in effect.
- US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz announced a UN Security Council resolution to hold Iran accountable for mines and Hormuz tolls.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared the US has “absolute control” of the Strait — calling Iran’s navy “a band of pirates.”
It started as Day One of Project Freedom. It became Day 66 of the most serious naval confrontation involving the United States since the Gulf War. And as of this writing, the ceasefire nobody trusted is now in tatters.
It has been a day of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran and the US trading shots — and putting a fragile ceasefire on even shakier footing. US Central Command chief Adm. Bradley Cooper confirmed that Iran had launched “multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats” at US Navy ships and commercial vessels being protected by the US military. The US military “blew up” six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, Cooper said. Trump later said the US shot down “seven small” Iranian boats.
Project Freedom — Day One Begins, Then Explodes
The United States sank several Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as part of Project Freedom — an operation to “restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping” which began Monday. Admiral Brad Cooper stated: “We have an enormous amount of capability and firepower concentrated in and around the strait, including 864 Apache and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters. Over the last 12 hours, we’ve reached out to dozens of ships and shipping companies to encourage traffic flow consistent with the president’s intent to help guide ships safely through the narrow trade corridor.”
Iran’s state-run IRIB state TV denied the US claims: “No commercial vessels or oil tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent hours, and the claims made by US officials are baseless and entirely false.” The IRGC repeated a warning that any ships attempting to transit the strait “will face serious risks, and violating vessels will be stopped with force.”
The UAE Strike — Ceasefire Effectively Broken
Iran launched its first missile and drone attack on the United Arab Emirates since the ceasefire with the US took effect on April 8. UAE authorities said three missiles were intercepted while a fourth fell into the sea. The country also suffered an Iranian suicide drone attack. Emirati authorities confirmed a “major fire” broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following the Iranian drone strikes.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attacks “a dangerous escalation in violation of the principles of international law and the charter of the United Nations.”
The South Korean Ship — Trump’s Challenge to Seoul
Trump said Iran had taken shots at a South Korean cargo vessel, adding: “Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission.” “We’ve shot down seven small boats, or as they like to call them, ‘fast’ boats. It’s all they have left,” the president said. “Other than the South Korean ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait.”
The HMM Namu’s engine room fire sent alerts across Dubai and Sharjah, briefly triggering UAE-wide missile warnings before authorities confirmed the missiles struck the vessel and not UAE territory.
Trump’s Threat — “Blown Off the Face of the Earth”
President Trump warned Iranian forces on Monday that they would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attempted to target US ships in the Strait of Hormuz or Persian Gulf. Trump also said the Iranian negotiators were being “far more malleable” than they were previously — a contradictory message that simultaneously threatened total war and hinted at diplomatic progress.
Trump called the ongoing US naval blockade of Iran’s ports “the greatest military maneuver in history,” and said US bases were ready to launch new strikes on Iran if required.
Is the Ceasefire Dead? Nobody Will Say
Trump declined to say if the ceasefire is still in effect during an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt. US Central Command chief Admiral Cooper also declined to weigh in on whether the nearly monthlong ceasefire will continue. The ceasefire between the US and Iran is being tested as both countries have fired munitions in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the Iranian regime says it received a US response to its latest 14-point peace proposal — which it says is aimed at ending the war, not extending the current ceasefire. Separately, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz announced the US would co-draft a Security Council resolution with Bahrain and Gulf allies to hold Iran accountable — requiring Iran to stop laying mines and halt all tolling efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.
Two words define Day 66: explosion and negotiation. Iran struck the UAE for the first time since April 8. The US sank seven of Iran’s boats. And somewhere between “blown off the face of the Earth” and “more malleable than they’ve ever been” — a peace deal may still be possible. Or the next 24 hours may make it impossible forever.
Disclaimer: This is a breaking news and live update article based on publicly available reporting from CNN, CBS News, JNS, Ya Libnan, and Town Hall as of May 5, 2026. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz and UAE is actively evolving — some details may have changed since publication. TrenBuzz.com does not represent any government or military body. Readers are encouraged to follow official CENTCOM, White House, and credible international news sources for real-time updates.