Maersk reported that one of its vessels transited through the Strait of Hormuz with an escort from the U.S. military.
On May 5, Tasnim News Agency reported that the U.S. Army attacked two civilian boats off the coast of Iran, killing five civilians, according to an unnamed military source close to the IRGC. The boats were traveling from Khasab, Oman, toward the Iranian coast.
Asadollah Behzad Okhsari, known as Haj Behzad Rasouli, a senior official in the West Azerbaijan Intelligence Department, was killed during early morning airstrikes in West Azerbaijan on March 1, 2025. At the time of his death, he held key positions including head of the West Azerbaijan Intelligence Department, deputy of the Mahabad Intelligence Department, and commander of the province's security operations.
Exclusive information received by Iran International indicates an unprecedented escalation in tensions between Iranian government officials and military commanders, with Masoud Pezeshkian expressing extreme frustration over the actions of Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of the IRGC.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the U.S. "Freedom Project" aimed at ensuring safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz as a "dead-end project," stating that political crises cannot be resolved militarily. This came after attacks on May 4 targeted several ships and an UAE oil port in the Strait, escalating tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to secure maritime routes.
The Wall Street Journal's editorial board stated that Iran violated the ceasefire following its attack on the United Arab Emirates on May 4, 2025, and called on U.S. President Donald Trump to respond by using military force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Sunday, Trump announced the "Project Freedom" plan to escort commercial ships through the strait, aiming to break Iran's blockade and restore energy flow.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) special commander Ahmad Vahidi allegedly carried out missile attacks on the UAE and Oman without the knowledge of the Iranian government, angering figures such as President Pezeshkian.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters condemned recent attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran on the United Arab Emirates in a post on his X account on Tuesday, urging Iran to de-escalate tensions and respect international law. He emphasized the need for Iran to prioritize a political agreement to end the crisis and refrain from violating the ceasefire.
On January 10, 2026, USS Truxtun and USS Mason successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite sustained fire from Iranian small boats, missiles, and drones.
The United Arab Emirates is conducting retaliatory airstrikes against multiple civilian and military targets in Iran, including IRGC Navy sites and petrochemical facilities in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, Hormozgan Province. Reports indicate explosions and damage in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, with local sources suggesting coordinated attacks involving UAE Mirage 2000-9EADs fighter jets and armed drones, possibly joined by U.S. Navy fighter jets from USS Abraham Lincoln.
Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, called for the immediate release of Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi from Evin Prison, citing her deteriorating health and lack of access to necessary medical care.
Two U.S. Navy destroyers, escorted by Apache helicopters, successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing their operational presence in the region on an unspecified date in 2025-2026.
The United States demonstrated its military power in the Persian Gulf by maintaining a maritime blockade, deploying approximately 15,000 troops, and establishing an anti-missile system, resulting in the destruction of six IRGC speedboats and the interception of missiles and drones.
A naval officer aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) oversees flight operations in the Arabian Sea as U.S. warships and aircraft enforce a naval blockade against Iran and execute Project Freedom to ensure the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.
Fox News, citing senior U.S. officials, reports that the United States is nearing a decision to resume large-scale attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran following recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz; the final decision rests with President Trump.
The Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Republic regime, claimed that the U.S. attacked two boats carrying civilians, resulting in five deaths. However, CBS reported that the U.S. targeted fast boats affiliated with the IRGC, supported by Apache helicopters, amid threats to shipping.
U.S. Navy destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Mason successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf on January 12, 2026, after facing threats and a barrage from Iranian fast-attack boats, missiles, and drones without sustaining any damage.
A Ukrainian-owned FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile struck the state-owned "VNIAR Progress" institute in Cheboksary, Chuvash Republic, Russia, which develops components for precision-guided weapons systems and electronic warfare technology including "Kometa" antennas.
In a phone interview with "Selim News," U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran "will never have nuclear weapons" and must return highly enriched uranium to the U.S. He also called for limitations on Iran's missile program and claimed the U.S. has eliminated significant portions of Iran's nuclear teams.
Mark Levin quoted a tweet by HRH Reza Pahlavi, drawing more attention than initially anticipated.
