04/05/2026
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04/05/2026
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US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 6, in Washington. (AP)
WASHINGTON, May 4: US President Donald Trump said Iran fired on vessels, including a South Korean cargo ship, but claimed there was no broader damage to commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that US forces had destroyed seven Iranian “fast boats” in response to what he described as escalating maritime aggression in the region.
Meanwhile, the head of the U.S. Central Command said American forces are focused on protecting commercial shipping and maintaining freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf. He noted that the United Arab Emirates has strong defensive capabilities and is well-positioned to protect itself.
Earlier, authorities in Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone reported that an Iranian drone strike triggered a fire at a key oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. Separately, the British military said two cargo vessels were set ablaze near UAE waters.
The CENTCOM commander said the Fujairah incident falls under national jurisdiction and is separate from US-led efforts to ensure safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He declined to confirm whether the ceasefire between the US and Iran remained in effect, but said Iran initiated aggressive actions in the area.
US forces, he added, are acting in a defensive role aimed at safeguarding maritime traffic, stressing that responses would continue to Iranian provocations in the region.
