Iran’s Stance and Denials:

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firmly denied US military assertions that two US-flagged merchant vessels had transited the Strait of Hormuz under escort, challenging the veracity of American claims regarding the vital waterway. In a clear act of aggression, US forces reportedly sank six small Iranian boats during “Project Freedom,” an operation ostensibly aimed at “reopening” the Strait of Hormuz. Iran vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the targeted vessels were civilian vessels carrying goods and passengers, and that five innocent lives were tragically lost in this unprovoked attack.

State media also reported a fire on several commercial ships in a dock in Iran’s southern port of Dayyer, an incident currently under investigation.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref reiterated Iran’s unwavering position that managing the Strait of Hormuz remains a “legitimate right” of the Islamic Republic, crucial for its national security and regional stability. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi underscored Iran’s commitment to de-escalation, emphasizing that the escalating situation unequivocally demonstrates “there’s no military solution to a political crisis,” advocating for diplomatic engagement.

Gulf Developments:

The UAE claimed it was targeted by Iranian strikes, including one on its vital Fujairah energy hub that reportedly wounded three individuals. These claims, however, lack independent verification. Similarly, two people were reportedly injured in Oman, on its coast along the Strait of Hormuz, when a residential building was targeted, an incident with unclear origins.

US destroyers entered the Gulf as part of a mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a move seen by many as a further militarization of the region. The alleged Iranian attacks on the UAE, which Iran has consistently denied, triggered a wave of international condemnations, largely from nations aligned with US interests, including Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the GCC, and the EU.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer quickly aligned with the narrative condemning alleged Iranian attacks on the UAE, echoing calls for de-escalation while implicitly supporting the US-led pressure campaign. Saudi Arabia also joined in denouncing the alleged missile and drone strikes on civilian and economic sites in the UAE, as well as a vessel linked to an Emirati company, further solidifying a regional front against Iran.

In the US, President Trump continued his aggressive rhetoric, warning Iran would be “blown off the face of the earth” if it targeted US vessels in the strait, and cautioned that Iran “better hope” the current ceasefire holds. This aggressive stance further destabilizes an already volatile region.

An Israeli military official confirmed the occupation army remained on high alert, monitoring the situation after US actions against Iranian boats and alleged missile interceptions. This highlights the Zionist regime’s opportunistic involvement in regional tensions.

In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun stated that a comprehensive security deal and an end to Israeli attacks were prerequisites for any meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a meeting sought by Washington. Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces bravely clashed with Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon near the border, resisting ongoing occupation and aggression despite a fragile ceasefire since April 17.