DUBAI, May 5: A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war is facing renewed pressure after the United States moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, raising fears that the conflict could escalate again despite a temporary halt in large-scale fighting.
The US military said that two American-flagged merchant ships successfully passed through the strategic waterway on Monday under an initiative known as “Project Freedom.”
The operation is aimed at restoring the flow of maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical oil routes.
During the transit, US forces engaged Iranian units and claimed to have sunk six small boats that were allegedly targeting vessels.
Iran, however, strongly rejected this version of events, with a military commander stating that two civilian cargo boats were struck instead, killing five people, according to Iranian state television.
Tehran has accused Washington of violating the ceasefire that has held for more than three weeks.
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker and a key negotiator, warned that the US effort undermines regional security and signaled that Iran has not yet fully responded.
His comments suggest that further retaliation may still be forthcoming, adding to uncertainty over the truce.
Tensions have also spilled beyond the strait.
The United Arab Emirates reported that Iran launched a wave of missiles and drones targeting its territory.
According to Emirati officials, air defenses intercepted most of the projectiles, but one drone struck an oil facility in Fujairah, sparking a fire and injuring three Indian nationals.
In addition, the British military reported that two cargo ships were ablaze off the UAE coast.
Iran has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for these incidents, though its foreign minister warned that both the US and the UAE risk being drawn deeper into a prolonged conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global energy supplies, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas passing through it.
Iran’s effective closure of the strait since the outbreak of war has disrupted international markets, sent fuel prices sharply higher, and created economic uncertainty far beyond the region.
It has also provided Tehran with significant leverage in negotiations.
Any successful US effort to reopen the waterway would weaken that leverage but could provoke Iran into resuming broader hostilities.
The conflict dates back to February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to shut down the strait.
Since then, Washington has increased pressure by enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, turning away dozens of commercial vessels and warning shipping companies that they could face sanctions for paying Iran transit fees.
This blockade has further strained Iran’s economy by limiting its oil exports and revenue.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war have so far made little progress. Iran has proposed a framework that includes lifting US sanctions, ending the blockade, withdrawing foreign forces from the region, and halting allied military operations.
However, the proposal notably excludes Iran’s nuclear program, a central concern for Washington and its allies.
US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism that the plan will lead to a meaningful agreement.
With both sides maintaining hardline positions and key issues unresolved, the situation remains highly volatile.
While the ceasefire continues to hold for now, recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz and beyond highlight how easily it could unravel, potentially reigniting a broader and more dangerous conflict. (AP)
