Day 67: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

 This live blog follows updates for Day 66 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 66, go here, and for Day 68 updates, click here.

• Iran launches drones and missiles toward UAE targets
• UAE reports fires at energy sites after strikes
• United States deploys naval forces to secure Hormuz shipping
• US forces destroy Iranian boats amid escalating maritime clashes
• Leaders urge de-escalation as fragile ceasefire faces collapse

Trump pauses Project Freedom at Pakistan’s request, seeks ‘final agreement’ with Iran

Published: May 5, 2026 | 23:13 GMT | by Web Desk 

US President Donald Trump has said that, at the request of Pakistan and other countries, the US will pause Project Freedom — facilitating safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz — “for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be finalized and signed." 

In a post on Truth Social, the American president said that “great progress” has been made toward a “complete and final agreement” with Iran, and the two countries had mutually decided to stop the project. 

However, “the blockade will remain in full force and effect,” he said.

Russian and Qatari foreign ministers agree force must be abandoned in Strait of Hormuz crisis

Published: May 5, 2026 | 21:01 GMT | by AFP

Russia and Qatar have agreed that any attempt to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz by force must be abandoned, the two countries’ foreign ministries said following a telephone conversation between their top diplomats, a statement posted by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry on X reads.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the situation in and around the strategic waterway, which has been virtually closed following the US and Israeli war on Iran.

US vows tough response in Hormuz 

Published: May 5, 2026 | 20:51 GMT | by AFP

US forces are ready to resume combat operations against Iran if ordered, Washington's top military officer said as the Pentagon threatened a "devastating" response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Hormuz Strait.

The warnings came after Iran's powerful chief negotiator said Tehran "had not even started yet", after a spate of attacks in the crucial trade route by both sides on Monday threatened to reignite the Middle East war.

Rubio says Iran operation Epic Fury over, won't shoot unless fired upon

Published: May 5, 2026 | 20:50 GMT | by AFP

The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, echoing statements to Congress nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire.

"The operation is over — Epic Fury — as the president notified Congress. We're done with that stage of it," Rubio told reporters at the White House.

"This is not an offensive operation; this is a defensive operation," Rubio said.

"And what that means is very simple — there's no shooting unless we're shot at first."

Iran military 'categorically' denies launching attacks on UAE
Published: May 5, 2026 | 19:10 GMT | by AFP

Iran's military on Tuesday denied launching any attacks on the United Arab Emirates over the past days, after the Gulf country accused Tehran of launching drone and missile barrages.

"The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran did not launch any missile or drone operation against the United Arab Emirates these past days," the Khatam al-Anbiya central command said in a statement.

"The report of that country's Ministry of Defense is categorically denied and completely unfounded," it added, however warning that any attacks launched from Emirati territory would be met with a "firm response."

.

Brazil's Lula demands 'immediate' release of Gaza flotilla activists
Published: May 5, 2026 | 18:56 GMT | by AFP

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday demanded that Israel release two activists taken from a Gaza-bound flotilla, one of whom is a Brazilian national.

"Our government, together with that of Spain – which also had a citizen detained – demands that they be fully guaranteed their safety and immediately released," Lula wrote on the X social network.

Israel ready to deploy 'entire air force' against Iran if needed: new chief
Published: May 5, 2026 | 18:47 GMT | by AFP

Israel's new air force chief Major General Omer Tischler said on Tuesday that the country was prepared to deploy its entire fleet of fighter jets against Iran if necessary.

"We are closely monitoring the developments in Iran and are prepared to deploy the entire air force eastward if required," Tischler said at a ceremony where he assumed command from his predecessor Major General Tomer Bar.

"The air force will continue to act with determination, with power and with responsibility against threats in every arena, at every stage and against every enemy."

Iran Guards vow 'firm response' if ships diverge from declared Hormuz corridor
Published: May 5, 2026 | 17:18 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned on Tuesday that they would respond firmly to any ships that diverge from the country's approved route through the Strait of Hormuz.

"We warn all vessels planning to transit the Strait of Hormuz that the only safe passage is the corridor previously announced by Iran. Any diversion of ships to other routes is dangerous and will result in a firm response from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards navy," it said in a statement carried by state television.

The warning came on the second day of a US effort to facilitate the transit of commercial ships through the waterway, which Iran closed in response to the US-Israeli war against it.

Trump urges Iran to 'do the smart thing'
Published: May 5, 2026 | 16:41GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump urged Iran Tuesday to "do the smart thing" and make a deal to end the war, saying even as a ceasefire teetered that he did not want to kill more Iranians.

"They should do the smart thing, because we don't want to go in and kill people. Really don't," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about Iran. "I don't want to, it's too tough."

Trump declined to say what Iran would have to do to formally violate the nearly month-long truce.

"You'll find out," he said. "They know what to do. They know what not to do, more importantly, actually."

Iran FM spokesperson says X stripped verification from government accounts
Published: May 5, 2026 | 16:47 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that social media platform X removed verification badges from official Iranian government accounts, describing the action as arbitrary and politically motivated.

Esmaeil Baqaei said in a post on X that the platform removed the blue verification badge from his account as well as from the Foreign Ministry and the foreign minister’s accounts, despite what he said were paid premium subscriptions.

He described the move as “selective censorship” and “digital piracy.”

Baqaei said the action was intended to suppress information about what he called the United States’ “illegal war against Iran.”

UAE air defenses 'actively engaging' Iran missiles, drones: ministry
Published: May 5, 2026 | 14:45 GMT | by AFP

The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday its air defenses were engaging missiles and drones coming from Iran for the second consecutive day, weeks into a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war.

"UAE air defense systems are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats," the defense ministry said in a statement on X, adding that they had "come from Iran".

On Monday, an Iranian drone attack caused a fire, injuring three people at an energy installation in Fujairah, close to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that is the focus of tensions between the US and Iran.

Fujairah is the UAE's main oil export terminal bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

US carrier patrols Arabian Sea in Iran blockade operation
Published: May 5, 2026 | 13:27 GMT | by Web Desk

US Central Command said Tuesday that a US aircraft carrier is operating in the Arabian Sea as part of naval actions linked to Iran.

In a post on X, the command said the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77) is transiting the Arabian Sea while US forces enforce a naval blockade against Iran from the Gulf of Oman.

Project Freedom will break Iran's hold on Hormuz strait: Hegseth 

Published: May 5, 2026 | 12:30 GMT | by Web Desk

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran on Tuesday that any remaining forces would "face US firepower" as he briefed reporters on Project Freedom, President Donald Trump's new operation to “break” Tehran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz and “restore global energy routes.”

"This is a temporary mission for us — the world needs this waterway far more than we do," Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon briefing alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine. "We expect the world to stand up."

Hegseth said the operation is "separate and distinct" from Operation Epic Fury, the more than two-month-old war against Iran. Project Freedom, he said, has one mission: "protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression."

"It is defensive in nature, focused in scope and temporary in duration," he said. "American forces won't need to enter Iranian waters or airspace. We're not looking for a fight."

Hegseth said Iran does not control the strait and called Tehran's actions an attempt to "subjugate the world." "The US is using its strength to lift up others," he said. "Iran is weaponizing the global supply chain, holding the global economy hostage."

The ceasefire, Hegseth said, remains in effect. "The ceasefire is not over," he told reporters. "The president can make a decision whether anything were to escalate into a violation."

France's Macron to speak with Iran president on Tuesday

Published: May 5, 2026 | 11:59 GMT | by AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron will speak with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian later on Tuesday, as he pushed for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"I will be speaking with the Iranian president shortly," Macron told reporters at a press conference in Yerevan, adding that France had long advocated for "the restoration of freedom of navigation" in the vital waterway.

Israel court extends Gaza flotilla activists' detention until Sunday

Published: May 5, 2026 | 11:49 GMT | by AFP

An Israeli court has extended the detention of two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla until Sunday, a rights group representing them said, as authorities continue to question the pair.

Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Avila appeared before a court in the city of Ashkelon for their second hearing on Tuesday, after they were brought to Israel for questioning last week.

Saudi Arabia expresses support for Pakistan's mediation efforts to reach 'political solution'

Published: May 5, 2026 | 10:02 GMT | by AFP

Saudi Arabia expresses support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts to achieve a political solution, saying they can help prevent the region from sliding into further tension and instability that would serve no one’s interests.

The kingdom also stressed the need to restore freedom of international maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ensure the safe passage of vessels without restriction.

Pakistan PM calls for ceasefire compliance after UAE drone strikes

Published: May 5, 2026 | 08:10 GMT | by AFP

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, expressing full solidarity with its leadership and people.

In a statement on X, Sharif extended support to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reaffirmed its backing for the Emirati government and citizens during what it described as a difficult time.

“It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be maintained to create diplomatic space for dialogue,” the prime minister said, adding that peaceful engagement remains key to achieving lasting peace in the region.

Maersk says ship transited Strait of Hormuz under US escort

Published: May 5, 2026 | 05:49 GMT | by AFP

Denmark's freight giant Maersk said on Tuesday that one of its ships has successfully sailed through the Strait of Hormuz under US escort.

The ship, US-flagged Alliance Fairfax, had been stuck in the Gulf since the war erupted in February and was "offered the opportunity" to leave accompanied by the US military.

"The vessel subsequently exited the Persian Gulf accompanied by US military assets" on May 4, the company said in a statement.

"The transit was completed without incident, and all crew members are safe and unharmed."

US destroyers transit Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian attack: Report

Published: May 5, 2026 | 05:37 GMT | by AFP

Two US Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday amid Iranian attacks, according to reports.

The USS Truxtun and USS Mason were supported by fighter aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters during what officials described as a “sustained barrage” involving small boats, missiles and drones, CBS reported.

Despite the assault, neither destroyer was hit, as forces intercepted or deterred each threat.

US-Iran exchange fire as Tehran denies losses, alleges civilian deaths

Published: May 5, 2026 | 02:18 GMT | by AFP

A US admiral said American forces sank six small Iranian vessels, a claim Tehran denied while accusing Washington of killing civilians on boats.

US forces "attacked two small boats carrying people... they martyred five civilian passengers and must be held accountable for their crime," Iranian state TV posted on Telegram.

US Apache attack helicopters deployed in operation against Iranian boats: CENTCOM

Published: May 5, 2026 | 02:13 GMT | by AFP

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is leading the US war on Iran, said that Sea Hawk and Apache attack helicopters were used in the reported targeting of six Iranian fast boats on Monday, which Washington said were destroyed while attempting to interfere with commercial shipping amid US operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The helicopters “were used to eliminate Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping”, CENTCOM said in a post on X.

CENTCOM also said that more than 100 aircraft – both land-based and on board two US aircraft carriers in the Gulf region — are now taking part in Operation Freedom to reopen the strait and escort ships through the waterway.

Trump says took a little detour but Iran war ‘working out very nicely’

Published: May 5, 2026 | 01:12 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump has said that a little detour was taken in the military operation against Iran, adding that it was “working out very nicely."

"They have no navy, they have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft equipment, they have no radar, they have no nothing,” he said.

Iran rejects military solution to ‘political crisis’, says UAE attack not pre-planned

Published: May 4, 2026 | 23:12 GMT | by AFP

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz makes it “clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis,” Al Jazeera reported. 

“As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the US should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE,” he said in a post on X. “Project Freedom is Project Deadlock.”

Separately, Iranian state TV said that the country had "no pre-planned programme" to attack oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates, after the UAE blamed the Islamic Republic for a drone strike at an energy installation in Fujairah.

"The Islamic Republic had no pre-planned programme to attack the oil facilities in question, and what happened was the product of the US military's adventurism to create a passage for ships to illegally pass through the forbidden passages of the Strait of Hormuz, and the US military must be held accountable for it," an Iranian military official told state TV.

"US officials must end the ugly behaviour of using force in the diplomatic process and stop military adventurism in this sensitive oil region that affects the economies of all countries in the world."

UK PM calls for de-escalation after UAE reports attacks

Published: May 5, 2026 | 00:10 GMT | by AFP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for de-escalation in the Middle East after the United Arab Emirates reported attacks for the first time since a truce was declared nearly a month ago.

"The UK condemns the drone and missile strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates," Starmer said in a statement.

"This escalation must cease. Iran needs to engage meaningfully in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East endures, and a long-term diplomatic solution is achieved."

Turkish, Qatari FMs discuss regional developments during call

Published: May 5, 2026 | 00:07 GMT | by Web Desk

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke to his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, to discuss the developments in the Middle East, Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency reported, according to Al Jazeera.

The two discussed developments related to ongoing talks between the US and Iran, according to diplomatic sources.