Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi has said events in the Strait of Hormuz show there's no military solution to the Middle East crisis.
He added that talks were making progress with Pakistan's mediation and warned the United States and the United Arab Emirates against being drawn into a "quagmire by ill-wishers."
South Korean shipper HMM 011200.KS said on Tuesday (5 May) that a fire on its vessel in the Strait of Hormuz had been extinguished. The ship will be towed to a nearby port in Dubai, the company said, adding no casualties have been reported so far.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry previously said a fire and explosion had occured on the vessel on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the blaze on an Iranian attack and urged Seoul to join its mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is continuing to block.
The head of International Monetary Fund on Monday warned that inflation was already picking up and the global economy could face a "much worse outcome" if the war in the Middle East drags into 2027 and oil prices hit around $125 per barrel.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the continuation of the war meant that the global lender's scenario calling for a minor slowdown of global growth and a minor increase in prices was no longer possible.
As a result, the IMF's "adverse scenario" was already in effect, she said. Long-term inflation expectations remained anchored and financial conditions were not tightening, but that could change if the war continued, she told a conference hosted by the Milken Institute.
Iran will not hesitate to attack the U.S. if it moves forward in the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran's official judiciary media outlet, Mizan News Agency has reported, citing senior Iranian security sources.
It comes after the U.S. launched a mission to protect commercial ships near Iran, following Tehran's continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran's military has threatened to target the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if it takes "unwise action" against Iran, IRGC-associated Tasnim News Agency has reported, citing a military source.
Earlier, the UAE's Foreign Ministry said it reserved the "full and legitimate right" to respond after Iranian drones struck its Fujairah Oil Industry Complex.
Three Indian nationals were injured in the incident and are receiving treatment in hospital.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Monday that the world should prepare for an energy price and supply crisis stemming from the Iran war to potentially last longer.
Speaking to broadcaster tvnet, Bayraktar added that Türkiye did not have any supply issues at the moment, but that certain developments regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates from OPEC last month added to uncertainties.
U.S. President Donald Trump called for South Korea to join Washington's mission to protect ships near Iran on Monday, after he said Tehran had opened fire on a South Korean cargo ship.
"Perhaps it's time for South Korea to come and join the mission," Trump said.
An Iranian military official has denied an American admiral's claim that six small boats belonging to Iran have been destroyed, Tehran's state television reports.
Earlier, U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, said the American military had destroyed six small boats beonging to Iran and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones.
It comes as the U.S. launched an operation to free up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Cooper said he "strongly advised" Iranian forces to remain clear of U.S. military assets.
He added that a U.S. blockade of Iran, which prevents ships from reaching Iranian ports or from departing the country, also remains in effect and was exceeding expectations.
Three Indian nationals have been injured in an Iranian drone strike on the United Arab Emirate's Fujairah Oil Industry Complex, the Fujairah emirate's Media Office has said in a statement posted on X.
The three people sustained moderate injuries in the attack and are receiving treatment in hospital, according to the post.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah said on Monday that a fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following what they described as a drone attack originating from Iran.
Civil defence teams were deployed immediately to contain the blaze, Fujairah Media office said in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from Iran.
The UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said its air defence systems are responding to a missile threat.
The UAE’s Defence Ministry added that three missiles were intercepted, while a fourth fell into the sea.
Israeli attacks killed 17 people in Lebanon over the past 24 hours, bringing the country’s death toll since 2 March to 2,696, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Monday.
In a statement, the ministry added that 35 people were injured in the past day, raising the total number of injuries to 8,264.
Separately, Israel said 17 of its soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah attacks have resulted in the deaths of two civilians.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said a fire and explosion occurred on a Korean-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, with 24 crew members on board.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident and assessing the extent of the damage.
The ministry added that it is in close communication with relevant countries as the situation develops.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates told residents the situation is now safe after issuing an earlier missile threat warning.
The interior ministry said people can resume normal activities while "while continuing to remain cautious and take the necessary precautions."
About 30 minutes earlier, a nationwide alert had urged residents to seek immediate shelter.
This is the first such alert since early April.
South Korea is verifying reports that a Korean-flagged ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, per Yonhap News Agency. No casualties reported.
Earlier on Monday (4 May), the United States Navy says two destroyers entered the Gulf and U.S. ships have transited the strait despite Iranian warnings.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have discussed Iran during their recent phone calls, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News Channel's "America's Newsroom" on Monday (4 May).
U.S. Central Command stated that two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have 'successfully' navigated the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping chokepoint.
"American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping," it sais in a statement.
Imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi needs urgent specialised treatment for a life-threatening heart condition, her brother said on Monday.
"She is suffering from terrible headaches, nausea and chest pain. That is what we are very worried about, her heart," said Hamidreza Mohammadi.
He warned: "Experts all believe that her life is in danger and she needs at least one month away from prison conditions to be treated properly."
Her family and the Norwegian Nobel Committee are urging Iran to transfer her to specialist care in Tehran.
The United Arab Emirates on Monday (4 May) accused Iran of attacking an empty ADNOC crude tanker, Barakah, with two drones as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported.
"The UAE further stressed the need for Iran to halt these unprovoked attacks, ensure its full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," the foreign ministry said.
The incident comes as Iran restricts Gulf access for most non-Iranian ships following U.S. and Israeli strikes on 28 February, warning it may target unauthorised vessels in the key oil transit route.
Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker was hit by unknown projectiles about 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iranian forces fired a warning shot at a U.S. warship to prevent it from entering the Strait of Hormuz. The official said it was unclear whether the vessel sustained any damage during the incident.
U.S. Central Command said on Monday that no U.S. Navy ships have been hit, rejecting Iranian claims that a U.S. warship was forced to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, CENTCOM said U.S. forces are supporting “Project Freedom” and continuing to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports. The comments followed reports by Iranian state media alleging that Iran’s navy had confronted and struck a U.S. vessel near the strait.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported on Monday that two missiles struck a U.S. warship sailing near Jask island after it ignored Iranian warnings while attempting to move through the Strait of Hormuz. Citing local sources, Fars said the vessel later turned back from the area.
In a separate statement carried by state television, Iran’s navy said it had prevented the entry of U.S. warships into the Strait of Hormuz area. There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials on the claims.
According to state media, the western boundary of the area runs from a line between Iran’s Qeshm island and the UAE’s Umm al Quwain emirate.
In the east, the area stops at a line between Iran's Mount Mobarak and the UAE's Emirate of Fujairah.
It was not immediately clear if and to what extenct their claimed area of control has changed.
Any exit from OPEC as a "negative or vengeful reaction toward members is not constructive," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
Baghaei added Iran would retain its commitments within OPEC and blamed the UAE for demonstrating "inappropirate behaviour" in assisting Israel and the U.S. during the war against it.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said on Monday that with the United Arab Emirates' airspace now fully clear, operations and flights are being scaled up in line with routing capacity.
Despite disruptions from the Iran war since 28 February, Dubai’s two main airports still handled more than 6 million passengers, 32,000 flights, and 213,000 tonnes of cargo, with travel demand remaining strong.
The United Arab Emirates left OPEC and OPEC +on good terms and will continue working with members of the groups, Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said on Monday.
"OPEC has been relatively calm about the decision," he said at the "Make It In The Emirates" conference.
France’s president has called on Iran and the U.S. to work together to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying joint action was the only way to permanently clear blocked shipping lanes.
Speaking on Monday at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Emmanuel Macron said France would not take part in any military operation, adding that the current framework for the use of force was “unclear”.
An Iranian container ship seized earlier will be transported to Pakistani waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs, according to Pakistan's foreign ministry.
The vessel’s 22 crew members have been evacuated to Pakistan by the U.S. and are due to be handed over to Iranian authorities on Monday.
Calling the move a "confidence-building measure, "the ministry in a statement said, the Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs."
Iran has warned the U.S. Navy against entering the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from the unified command of Iran’s armed forces carried by state media. The warning followed the U.S. announcement that it would begin efforts on Monday to help free ships stranded in the strategic waterway.
The statement said Iran considers responsibility for security in the Strait of Hormuz to rest with its armed forces and insisted that the safe passage of vessels must be coordinated with them.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency has warned that the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains critical due to ongoing regional military activity.
UKMTO said mariners should expect an increased naval presence, heightened force‑protection measures, possible VHF radio hailing, and congestion near anchorage areas.
It added that the U.S. has established an enhanced security area to support transits through the strait, located south of the traffic separation scheme.
Vessels opting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz are advised to consider routing via Omani territorial waters south of the traffic separation scheme. Given the anticipated volume of traffic, UKMTO also recommended coordination with Omani authorities via VHF channel 16 to help maintain safe navigation.
A senior Iranian lawmaker has warned that U.S. involvement in maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz would amount to a breach of the ceasefire. Ibrahim Azizi said any U.S. interference would be unacceptable, as Washington announced it would begin supporting “Operation Freedom” today to help ensure the safe passage of commercial shipping through the strait.
Iran has executed three men convicted in connection with protests that took place in January, according to Iranian state media. The reports said the executions followed court rulings accusing the men of involvement in violence during the unrest, though no further details were immediately provided.
A tanker has reported being hit by unidentified projectiles while sailing around 78 nautical miles north of the Emirati city of Fujairah, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. UKMTO said on Monday that all crew members were safe.
The United States President, Donald Trump, said on Sunday that the United States will start working to free ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday morning Middle Eastern time.
Trump made this statement on his Truth Social account and shared details of the operation, which he called "Project Freedom".
He added that the move was to help neutral countries that were not involved in the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, and he described the effort as a "humanitarian gesture".
He wrote, "For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways so that they can freely and ably get on with their business."
The White House and Pentagon are yet to respond to requests for more information regarding the operation.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China’s top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday (6 May), underscoring deepening ties between Tehran and Beijing ahead of high-level U.S.-China talks expected to touch on Iran and the Gulf crisis.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 6th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
President Donald Trump cited "great progress" toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran as he announced he would briefly pause the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges China to pressure Tehran over its actions in the Hormuz.
All remaining passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak are asymptomatic, Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García said on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump cited "great progress" toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran as he announced he would briefly pause the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges China to pressure Tehran over its actions in the Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met China’s top diplomat in Beijing on Wednesday (6 May), underscoring deepening ties between Tehran and Beijing ahead of high-level U.S.-China talks expected to touch on Iran and the Gulf crisis.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second consecutive day on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
The U.S. and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz with duelling maritime blockades, shaking a fragile ceasefire.
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