Fire at UAE’s Fujairah port not a planned Iranian attack, says Iranian military official

معادلهٔ‌ جدید تنگهٔ هرمز در حال تثبیت است. امنیت کشتیرانی و ترانزیت انرژی به دست آمریکا و متحدانش با نقض آتش‌بس و اعمال محاصره به خطر افتاده است؛ البته شرّشان کم خواهد شد.

خوب می‌دانیم که استمرار وضع موجود برای آمریکا غیر قابل تحمل است؛ درحالی که ما هنوز حتی شروع هم نکرده‌ایم.

"The new equation of the Strait of Hormuz is in the process of being solidified. The security of shipping and energy transit has been jeopardised by the United States and its allies through the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade," the X post read.

"We know well that the continuation of the current situation is unbearable for the United States, while we have not even begun yet," he said.

Read: Truce hangs by a thread as Hormuz heats up

The strait is a vital thoroughfare for global supplies of oil, fertiliser and other commodities that have been virtually closed since the U.S. and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28, causing price rises around the world.

Several merchant ships ​in the Gulf reported explosions or fires on Monday, and an oil port in the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a large U.S. military base, was set ablaze by Iranian missiles.

Conflicting reports

Iran's ​Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively closed the narrow waterway under threat of mines, drones, missiles and gunboats. The US has responded with a blockade of Iranian ⁠ports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday's events showed there was no military solution to the crisis. He said peace talks were progressing with Pakistan's mediation, and warned the US and the UAE against being ​drawn into a "quagmire."

The US military said two US merchant ships made it through the strait, without saying when, with the support of Navy guided-missile destroyers.

While Iran denied any crossings had taken place, Maersk said the Alliance Fairfax, ​a US-flagged ship, exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, accompanied by the US military, on Monday.

The commander of US forces in the region said his fleet had destroyed six small Iranian boats, which Iran also denied. Iranian media quoted a military commander as saying US forces targeted civilian boats, killing five civilians.

Read more: Trump says Iran will be 'blown off the face of the earth' if it targets US vessels

Iran also said on Monday it had fired on a US warship approaching the strait, forcing it to turn around. Iranian officials later described the fire as warning shots.

Reuters could not independently ​verify the full situation in the strait on Monday as the warring sides issued contradictory statements.

South Korea reported that one of its merchant ships, HMM Namu, in the strait suffered an explosion and fire in its engine ​room, though no one aboard was hurt. A South Korean government spokesperson said it was unclear if an attack caused the fire.

Also on Monday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported two ships had been hit off ‌the coast ⁠of the UAE, and the Emirati oil company ADNOC said one of its empty oil tankers was hit by Iranian drones.

Israel acknowledges bombing 500 areas in Lebanon during ceasefire, 5 soldiers killed

The Israeli army acknowledged Tuesday it has struck about 500 areas in Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect on April 17, and that five Israeli soldiers were killed and 33 others injured by Hezbollah fire.

“Five soldiers from the army and security forces were killed and 33 others injured since the ceasefire,” Army Radio said, amid what it described as strict censorship over the full extent of losses.

The broadcaster explained that three soldiers were killed by explosive-laden drones, two by improvised explosive devices, 31 were injured by explosive devices and two in clashes with Hezbollah fighters.

In recent weeks, Hezbollah’s drones have become a growing concern in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing them as a “major threat.”

According to the radio, Israeli aircraft carried out strikes on about 500 areas since the ceasefire, all in southern Lebanon except for one target in the Bekaa region.

"These figures demonstrate that there is no ceasefire in southern Lebanon,” Army Radio said.

Despite the ceasefire that was announced on April 17 and extended until May 17, the Israeli army continues daily strikes in Lebanon and widespread demolition of homes in dozens of villages.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Monday that 17 people were killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 to 2,696, with 8,264 injured.

Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the previous war between 2023 and 2024, and has advanced about 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory during the current offensive.

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the strategic coastal area of Biyyada, while also striking a tank with a drone in the town of al-Qaouzah, according to Al Jazeera.

In a further update, the group said it struck Israeli bulldozers in the towns of Deir Siryan and Rashaf.