United Arab Emirates said it came under fresh missile and drone attacks from Iran on Tuesday, even as United States officials insisted a fragile ceasefire in the region remains in place.
According to U.S. officials, the escalation follows an exchange of fire a day earlier during efforts by American forces to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route.
A report by Reuters says U.S. military said it destroyed six Iranian small boats, along with cruise missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump ordered naval escorts for stranded tankers under an operation dubbed
“Project Freedom.”U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the mission as temporary and maintained that the four-week ceasefire had not collapsed.“We’re not looking for a fight… the ceasefire certainly holds, but we’re watching very closely,” Hegseth said.
Despite this, Iran reportedly launched missiles at U.S. ships on Monday and targeted the UAE again shortly after the press briefing, with Emirati air defenses actively intercepting incoming threats.
The developments highlight rising tensions in the Gulf, where military activity continues to test the durability of the already shaky truce.