The U.S. military sank six Iranian small boats and defeated cruise missile and drone attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, allowing two American-flagged merchant ships to complete a safe transit under President Trump's 'Project Freedom' initiative. Separate incidents included an explosion on a South Korean-operated vessel and Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE—the first since the early April ceasefire—with the UAE reporting interceptions and casualties.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper reported that U.S. forces engaged Iranian cruise missiles, drones, and small boats targeting U.S. Navy vessels and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Using Apache and Seahawk helicopters, the U.S. sank six small boats. "Each and every threat had been defeated," Cooper told reporters, describing Iran's actions as "initiating aggressive behavior." No U.S. or commercial ships were hit.
The operation supported "Project Freedom," aimed at restoring commerce through the strait, which Iran had closed since late February. CENTCOM posted on X that "2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey." U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers operated in the Arabian Gulf in support. The U.S. opened a mine-free passage in Oman's waters, protected by destroyers, over 100 aircraft including F-35s and F/A-18s, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members. Separately, the U.S. enforces a 100% effective naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman.
On the same day, around 8:40 p.m., an explosion and fire occurred in the port side engine room of a Panama-flagged bulker operated by South Korea's HMM, anchored near the UAE. The vessel had 24 crew members—six South Koreans and 18 foreigners—with no casualties. An HMM official said the cause was unclear, possibly malfunction or external attack. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations... including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it's time for South Korea to come and join the mission! We've shot down seven small Boats... Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage."
The British military reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE coast.
The UAE Defense Ministry said it intercepted 15 missiles and four drones launched by Iran, with one drone causing a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah that wounded three Indian nationals. The UAE issued four missile alerts—the first since the ceasefire—and condemned the "renewed treacherous Iranian aggression."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on X that the U.S. and UAE "should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire." An anonymous Iranian military official told state television Tehran had "no plan" to target the UAE, blaming U.S. "military adventurism." Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi told IRIB that "any foreign military force—especially the aggressive U.S. military—that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted."
Oil prices jumped 6% amid the tensions.
