Iran-United States War – Drones, Missiles, And Ships: No One Is Safe On The Strait of Hormuz
The war is far from over as drones and missiles have been targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Both Iran and the United States wanted to see the war come to a close. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz being open, Iranian leaders asserted the right to toll fees from those transiting the Strait. The United States President Donald Trump said they were going to start doing United States Navy escorts of commercial vessels through the Strait.
This could have been seen by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a direct attack on its ability to control the Strait of Hormuz, even though Iran isn’t the only country bordering the waterway. So did May 4, 2026, see success, or did Iran take action against the United States attempts to enact Project Freedom?
Drone Lies Ahead: The Regime’s Strait
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) cited a post on Telegram by the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Chairman, Ebrahim Azizi, where it was stated on May 3, 2026, that Iran would see any interference with the Iranian blockade of the Strait by the United States as a violation of the ceasefire. Almost as if to reinforce the point, an Emirati-affiliated tanker was attacked by Iranian forces when it attempted to pass the Strait. General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi made threats of an attack on United States warships and vessels trying to move through the Strait of Hormuz without prior Iranian authorization on May 4, 2026.
The IRGC-affiliated media, Defa Press, released a report on May 4, 2026, stating that the IRGC Navy issued warning shots at a United States warship. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced two United States destroyers successfully guided two United States-flagged vessels without damage through the Strait of Hormuz on May 4, 2026. A report from Mehr News Agency was cited through Telegram by the ISW, where the Islamic Republic Navy claimed to fire cruise missiles and drones at both the vessels and destroyers. The report claimed to sink the United States forces.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) intercepted three of four Iranian cruise missiles, as one fell into the sea. The ISW reported an Iranian drone strike at an unspecified target, hitting the Fujairah Petroleum Industrial Zone, Fujairah, UAE, leaving three injured. The IRGC claimed to have targeted a South Korean-flagged cargo ship, HMM Namu, anchored roughly 36 nautical miles north of Dubai in the Strait of Hormuz. The militant group also said they struck an unnamed vessel approximately 14 nautical miles west of Mina Saqr, UAE, with the Emirati Defense Ministry saying the air defenses engaged at least three more Iranian projectiles.
Another projectile from Iran struck a residential building, though ISW reports it wasn’t certain if the Tabat area of Bukha Province, Musandam Governorate, Oman was the target. United States President Donald Trump claimed there was no heavy fire, and it did not constitute a violation of the ceasefire.
The Hezbollah First-Person View Drone Threat: A Continued Struggle
The Israeli military reported on May 4, 2026, that a Hezbollah drone had lightly wounded an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier in southern Lebanon. A Telegram from Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem was reported by the ISW, saying on May 4, 2026, Hezbollah fighters are conducting attacks to maximize Israeli casualties instead of attempting to take or hold territory. The IDF estimates that around 100 drone operators have been deployed by Hezbollah, operating in small squads throughout southern Lebanon. The operators will launch a reconnaissance FPV drone, identify and select targets, then launch FPV drones with explosives to strike.
The IDF believes these drone operators are using fiber-optic FPV drones in the majority of the attacks, which are immune to jamming. ISW cited an X post saying the IDF purchased shotguns and will be issuing them to IDF units in Lebanon.
The Strait And United States: Allies Under Siege
Reporting from Associated Press (AP) shows the UAE Defense Ministry defended against 15 missiles and four drones from Iran. A drone sparked fire at a key oil facility, according to the eastern emirate of Fujairah, leaving three wounded Indian nationals. Two cargo vessels were on fire off the UAE, according to the British Military. While Tehran didn’t confirm or deny the attacks, early on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on X that the United States and the UAE should be wary of being dragged back into war.
Both AP and ISW posit that breaking the chokehold Iran has over the Strait risks reigniting full-scale fighting, as the Iranian leadership has contended the country’s ownership over the waterway. The closure of the Strait between Iran and Oman has caused global economic struggles as fuel prices rise. Monay, the United States-led Joint Maritime Information Center, advised vessels to use an “enhanced security area” within Oman’s waters to navigate the Strait. This was part of United States President Donald Trump’s initiative, Project Freedom, a mine-free corridor.
Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of CENTCOM, told reporters that the United States military successfully opened a passage, effectively sinking six of Iran’s small boats launched at ships under their protection. The commanders defending the commercial vessels have the authority to act defensively to protect the ships. As of May 5, 2026, Iran denied the claim of sinking six boats; only two small civilian boats were hit. Iran’s state TV reported five civilians were killed.
Accusations: Violations And The Strait of Hormuz
AP’s Live Updates on May 5, 2026, saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemn the attacks, the targeting of civilians and infrastructure deemed “unacceptable.” Modi said via X that India stands with the UAE, stressing the need for safe, unimpeded travel through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon brief on May 5, 2026, that United States military forces want to guide stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz peacefully but are ready for hostilities.
The UAE was engaging in missile and drone attacks again, as the defensive sounds were heard in parts of the Gulf federation, intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. An analyst’s perspective from the AP shows the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is still uncertain. Iran has the intent to attack any ship transiting without Iranian approval. The reopening must be through an agreement or significantly diminishing Iran’s stock of drones, missiles, and small boats.
