Latest Developments

Iran Renews Attacks on the UAE: The United Arab Emirates condemned what it called “renewed terrorist, unprovoked Iranian attacks targeting civilian sites and facilities in the country” on May 4. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that its “air defenses engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones originating from Iran, resulting in three moderate injuries.” A fire was reported at the Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone.
Emirati, South Korean Vessels Attacked: Between May 3 and 4, the UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported three incidents in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Two vessels were reported to be on fire, while a third was struck by what the report called “unknown projectiles.” During a media call, CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said that U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian small boats on May 4.
Trump Announces ‘Project Freedom’: President Donald Trump announced the beginning of “Project Freedom” on May 3. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) later stated that “forces will begin supporting Project Freedom, May 4, to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.” Cooper clarified that “escorts” of commercial ships by U.S. Navy vessels are not occurring at this time, but a one-way path through the strait has been cleared for ships to transit the waterway.

FDD Expert Response

“The Iranians can use geography and proximity to close the Strait of Hormuz; the president has decided to use the U.S. Navy to open the waterway. This illegitimate Iranian regime, which killed 32,000 of its own citizens a few months ago, can do nothing but launch attacks on civilian infrastructure in the UAE. Keep the pressure up; the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will break.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology

“Iran’s attacks are underscoring yet again that the regime in Tehran is the leading threat to regional security and freedom of navigation. Tehran’s repeated attacks against the UAE are incentivizing Abu Dhabi to significantly deepen cooperation with Jerusalem. That is great news for both countries, a welcome development in Washington, and a nightmare for the Islamic Republic of Iran.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“It’s hard to call it a ceasefire when the Islamic Republic is firing drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. That is hardly a proportional response to American efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which the regime in Iran has mined. Iran’s attacks are specifically targeting the UAE, which the regime is treating as a stand-in for the West.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow