U.S. Sinks Iranian Boats in Strait of Hormuz; Ceasefire Holds in UAE-Iran Exchanges

U.S. military fired on Iranian forces and sank six small boats targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as part of an effort to force open the waterway for commercial shipping. This action came amid reports that a ceasefire in the Iran war was holding on Tuesday, even after the United Arab Emirates said Iran fired missiles and drones at it.

U.S. created an 'enhanced security area' in an attempt to end Iran’s stranglehold on the strait, dubbed 'Project Freedom' and intended to aid stranded seafarers on hundreds of ships stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war began. S.

Military. Ship tracking data showed a Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker heading toward the center of the strait on Tuesday morning after leaving an anchorage in the Persian Gulf, with a stated destination of Singapore according to the MarineTraffic ship tracking site. The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry said its air defenses engaged 15 missiles and four drones fired by Iran.

Authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah said one drone sparked a fire at a key oil facility, wounding three Indian nationals. The British military reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE. Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes against the UAE in a statement from its foreign ministry.

U.S. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accused Washington of undermining shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that a 'new equation' in the strait is taking shape. S.

U.S. and Israel first attacking Iran on February 28, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. About a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, along with fertilizer and other petroleum-derived products.

U.S. enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, telling at least 49 commercial ships to turn back, according to Central Command. S. warned shipping companies they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for transit of the strait.

Several commercial ships in the Iranian port of Dayyer are on fire, according to @spectatorindex, though the cause is not yet known. S. to lift sanctions, end the blockade, withdraw forces from the region, and cease all hostilities including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News and Tasnim agencies.

U.S. response to Iran’s latest proposal. Tehran claimed its proposal does not include its nuclear program and enriched uranium. Iran wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed doubt over the weekend that the proposal would lead to a deal.