Iran War Live Updates: U.S. and Iran Both Claim Control Over Strait of Hormuz
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hailed the new U.S. initiative to escort ships through the waterway, but traffic has not resumed. Iranian state news media said Tehran’s control over the strait had intensified.
Here’s the latest.
“The U.S. and Iran are disputing control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, with both claiming to have control. The U.S. is working to protect vessels in the strait, while Iran has intensified its presence. The situation has led to attacks on the United Arab Emirates and strained the cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran.
Pinned
The United States and Iran made competing claims over which side controlled the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, adding pressure to their shaky cease-fire after the U.S. Navy launched an effort to protect vessels through the vital oil shipping route.
The strait itself remains effectively closed: Only two ships were known to have passed through the waterway on Monday, and none had made the trip on Tuesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. effort to free trapped vessels is ongoing, adding “We’re ensuring that we have control of that strait, which we do.” Iran’s state broadcaster dismissed the U.S. effort as a failure and said Iranian control over the strait had “intensified.”
For the second day in a row, the United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that it had come under attack by Iranian missiles and drones, which it had not experienced since the cease-fire took effect in early April. The Emirates said its air defense systems were intercepting the weapons, but it was not clear if any had gotten through. Iran did not confirm or deny that it was behind the attacks.
President Trump suggested to reporters in the Oval Office that Iran knew what actions would violate the cease-fire; U.S. officials say the country has fired on U.S. ships several times. Mr. Trump declined to specify what he would deem a violation: “Well, you’ll find out, because I’ll let you know.”
On Monday, U.S. Central Command said American forces shot down cruise missiles and drones it said were aimed U.S. vessels, and destroyed six Iranian speedboats.
Mr. Hegseth cast the new U.S. naval effort that began on Monday as defensive and temporary. “We’re not looking for a fight,” he told reporters at the Pentagon.
Mr. Hegseth said two commercial vessels had crossed the strait under U.S. military protection on Monday. But overall ship traffic remains a trickle compared to before the war, when around 130 vessels a day made the passage.
Here’s what else we’re covering:
Shipping: Some 1,600 ships, and roughly 20,000 seafarers, remain stranded in or near the strait, but a U.S.-flagged vessel made the passage on Monday. Read more ›
Lebanon: A parallel cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, also showed signs of strain on Tuesday, with reports of new clashes in the country’s south.
Economy and markets: Oil prices retreated slightly and stocks opened higher as investors reacted to the continued uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz. Read more ›
China: Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, will travel to Beijing on Tuesday for meetings with his Chinese counterparts, he said on social media. Mr. Trump is set to visit China for talks with its leader, Xi Jinping, beginning on May 14.“
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