US Sinks Seven Iranian Boats in Strait of Hormuz as 'Project Freedom' Begins

May 5, 2026

The U.S. military destroyed seven Iranian small boats on May 5, 2026 during Project Freedom, Trump's operation to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran launched cruise missiles, drones and small boats at protected vessels, breaking a three-week ceasefire. Iranian attacks also struck a Fujairah oil facility and targeted sites in Oman, injuring five people.

Project Freedom naval operation

▪Iran launched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats at ships the U.S. military was protecting in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, 2026
▪The U.S. military defeated each threat from Iranian cruise missiles, drones and small boats in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, 2026
▪U.S. military helicopters sunk six Iranian small boats that were targeting civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, 2026
▪Two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, 2026
▪The Strait of Hormuz carried about 20% of the world's crude oil

Iranian drone strikes on UAE

▪Three Indian nationals were injured in the Fujairah oil facility attack on May 5, 2026
▪The United Arab Emirates reserves the right to respond in a way that protects its sovereignty and security following the May 5, 2026 attacks
▪The airspace over the United Arab Emirates was nearly empty on the night of May 5, 2026 as the country faced multiple sirens warning of incoming drones
▪A cargo ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was ablaze on May 5, 2026
▪The United Arab Emirates air defense systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran on May 5, 2026
▪The United Arab Emirates issued its first three missile alerts on May 5, 2026 since the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. took hold almost four weeks earlier
▪An Iranian drone sparked a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates on May 5, 2026

Oman residential building attack

▪A residential building housing employees in the Tibat district of Bukha, Oman was targeted on May 5, 2026
▪Four vehicles were damaged and windows in a nearby house were shattered in the Bukha residential building attack on May 5, 2026
▪Two foreigners were moderately injured in the Bukha residential building attack on May 5, 2026

Ceasefire breakdown escalation

▪Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on May 6, 2026 that both the U.S. and the UAE should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire
▪The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran lasted for three weeks as of May 5, 2026
▪Iran handed over its latest proposal for negotiations with the U.S. to mediators in Pakistan on May 2, 2026

Regional military responses

▪Israel's military is closely monitoring the developments in the Gulf and remains on high alert as of May 5, 2026
▪Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, will hold a news conference on May 6, 2026