US Escorts Ships Through Strait of Hormuz; Iran Attacks UAE Oil Facility

US military forces successfully escorted two American-flagged merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, marking initial progress in efforts to restore commercial shipping amid heightened tensions with Iran. Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, stated that US helicopters sank six Iranian small boats targeting civilian vessels in the strait.

He added that US forces defeated multiple Iranian cruise missiles, drones, and small boats aimed at protected ships. The US military has cleared a pathway free of Iranian mines and established a defensive umbrella with helicopters and fighter planes to safeguard freighters exiting the Arabian Gulf.

Separately, authorities in the UAE's eastern emirate of Fujairah reported that an Iranian drone sparked a fire at a key oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals with medium wounds. The facility serves as a terminus for a pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The British military reported a cargo ship ablaze off the UAE coast, with the fire in the vessel's engine room and all crew accounted for. Another cargo vessel was also reported on fire in the area. The UAE issued three missile alerts on Monday, the first since the ceasefire began nearly four weeks ago.

Airspace over the UAE was nearly empty during the warnings, according to flight tracking data.

“These attacks represent a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable violation.”

The UAE condemned the incidents as renewed Iranian aggression targeting civilian sites and reserved the right to respond to protect its sovereignty.

The incidents tested the three-week-old ceasefire between the US and Iran. Adm. Brad Cooper described Iran's actions as initiating aggressive behavior, while declining to confirm if the ceasefire had ended. The US military denied Iranian claims of striking an American Navy vessel southeast of the strait.

Iran’s military command warned that foreign forces entering the strait without coordination would be targeted.

“We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted.”

Iran handed a negotiation proposal to mediators in Pakistan on Friday, but President Trump stated he was not satisfied with it, without elaborating on specifics.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed concern over reports of exchanges in the strait and UAE missile interceptions, calling for a return to freedom of navigation without kinetic activity. Israel's military is monitoring Gulf developments and remains on high alert, with no changes to civilian guidelines.

Oil prices climbed, with Brent crude rising 2% to $110.37 per barrel, briefly topping $114, due to uncertainty over tanker transits. The strait carried about 20% of global crude before Iran's closure during the war starting February 28. US stock markets showed mixed reactions: the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4% or 216 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.1% as of Monday morning.

The US has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, turning back 49 commercial ships and aiming to deprive Iran of oil revenue to force negotiations. The disruption has raised energy prices in Europe and Asia, dependent on Persian Gulf supplies.

President Trump has promised to lower gas prices ahead of midterm elections. The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised ships to transit via Oman's waters in an enhanced security area. Adm. Brad Cooper noted the UAE's capability to defend itself, describing the Fujairah attack as under national jurisdiction, separate from US escort efforts.

Iran's closure of the strait followed the US and Israel initiating the war on February 28, rattling global energy markets. Shipping companies and insurers remain cautious about risks, given Iran's history of firing on vessels and vows to continue. The UAE had recently resumed near-full airport operations, but Monday's alerts disrupted air traffic.