US military sinks six Iranian boats in Strait of Hormuz clash
Last updated: 18:31 UTC, May 04 2026 | Started: 2026-05-04 16:46 | 2 update(s) | Avg confidence: 80/100
The story so far: The 2026 Iran war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeting military and nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones across the region and closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. A conditional ceasefire took effect April 8, but Pakistan-mediated peace talks have so far failed, and Iran's continued chokehold on the strait — through which 20% of the world's oil passes — has kept the conflict at a dangerous simmer.
Latest Updates
2026-05-04 18:31 — US military sinks six Iranian boats in Strait of Hormuz clash
The US military destroyed six Iranian small boats on May 4 after Iran launched 'multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats' at American Navy ships and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command chief Admiral Bradley Cooper told reporters.
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2026-05-04 16:46 — Iran attacks UAE, strikes US ships as Hormuz ceasefire shatters
Iran launched missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates on May 4, with UAE air defenses issuing three missile alerts — the first since the April 8 ceasefire — and authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah reporting an Iranian drone had sparked a fire at an oil facility, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.
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What We Know
- Iran launched missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates on May 4, with UAE air defenses issuing three missile alerts — the first since the April 8 ceasefire — and authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah reporting an Iranian drone had sparked a fire at an oil facility, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.
- The US military destroyed six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4 after Iran launched 'multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats' at US Navy ships and commercial vessels, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper told reporters, adding Apache and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters carried out the attacks.
- Iran's state media claimed two missiles struck a US Navy vessel near the strait; CENTCOM flatly denied any US ship was hit, calling the claim baseless, and said two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the waterway.
- Iranian Armed Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi issued a direct warning on state broadcaster IRIB: 'We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted.'
- The US-led Joint Maritime Information Center established an 'enhanced security area' south of standard shipping lanes in Oman's waters, urging mariners to coordinate with Omani authorities, while the US has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran transit fees.
- The US military destroyed six Iranian small boats on May 4 after Iran launched 'multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats' at American Navy ships and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command chief Admiral Bradley Cooper told reporters.
- President Trump said the US had shot down 'seven small' Iranian boats and confirmed 'no damage' to US vessels, except for a South Korean cargo ship struck by Iranian fire, according to CNN.
- Iran's attack came hours after Major General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran's joint military command, publicly warned that Iranian forces would 'maintain and manage security of the Strait of Hormuz with all strength' in response to Trump's Sunday announcement of 'Project Freedom' — a US military-backed initiative to guide stranded merchant vessels through the waterway, according to Al Jazeera.
- The UAE separately said its forces were responding to an Iranian drone and missile attack, with authorities in Fujairah reporting a fire at an oil facility, Al Jazeera reported on May 4. Iran issued no official comment on the UAE incident.
- The US-Iran ceasefire, which took effect April 8 and has been holding for nearly four weeks, had already been under stress: Trump rejected Iran's 14-point peace proposal on May 2, and a senior IRGC commander, Mohammad Jafar Asadi, declared on May 2 that renewed war was 'likely,' saying Iran was in a state of 'full readiness,' according to RFE/RL.
Still Unclear
- Iranian state media (Fars News Agency / IRIB): Two missiles struck a US Navy vessel near the Strait of Hormuz after it ignored Iranian navy warnings to halt.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Bradley Cooper: No US vessel was struck; Iran's claim is 'baseless.' Two US-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait.
- Iranian state media: Iran's navy prevented US ships from entering the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command (CENTCOM): Two American-flagged merchant ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz without incident.
- (Unverified — Cause listed as unknown; single source with no attribution of responsibility) An explosion and fire broke out aboard a South Korean-operated ship anchored in the strait. [South Korean government via NPR]
- (Unverified — Single source; cause and attribution to Iran not independently confirmed) A British military monitoring center said a cargo ship was ablaze off the UAE coast. [UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) via NPR]
- Iranian state media / Fars News Agency: Two missiles struck a US frigate in the Strait of Hormuz after it ignored warnings from Iran's navy to halt, Iran's state media quoted the army as saying.
US military statement, as reported by Al Jazeera and CNN: No US vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz.
- US Central Command / CNN: US-flagged vessels successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom on May 4, the US military said.
IRGC statement via Iranian state media, as reported by CNN: The claim that US-flagged vessels passed through was 'baseless,' Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said.
- (Unverified — single source; no independent confirmation; Iran has not commented) An Iranian drone struck an oil facility in Fujairah, UAE, sparking a fire; no Iranian official statement has confirmed this. [UAE authorities / Al Jazeera]
- (Unverified — state media only; bill not yet passed into law) Iran's parliament is poised to approve a law requiring 'hostile' ships to pay reparations for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and permanently barring Israeli vessels. [Iranian state television Press TV, as reported by CNN]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|
| Brent crude oil price | ~$124–125 per barrel | GlobalSecurity.org Day 63 operational report / Iranian President Pezeshkian statement |
| Iranian vessels destroyed by US forces on May 4 | 6 small boats | CENTCOM Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper |
| Iranian oil revenue denied by US blockade | ~$5 billion | US Department of Defense via Just Security |
| Iranian oil tankers stranded in the Gulf | 31 tankers carrying 53 million barrels | Pentagon officials via Just Security / Axios |
| US arms sales to Middle East partners (emergency authorization) | $8.6 billion | US State Department via Just Security / New York Times |
| Days of active conflict (Operation Epic Fury) | Day 66 (commenced February 28, 2026) | GlobalSecurity.org operational report |
| Iranian boats destroyed by US military in Strait of Hormuz on May 4 | 6 boats | US Central Command chief Adm. Bradley Cooper, via CNN |
| US personnel and assets deployed for 'Project Freedom' Hormuz operation | 15,000 service members, 100+ aircraft, guided-missile destroyers | US Central Command statement, as reported by CNN |
| Average US retail gasoline price as of early May 2026 | $4.45 per gallon (up ~50% since start of war) | CNN, May 4, 2026 |
| Ships transiting Strait of Hormuz in March 2026 vs pre-war monthly average | 154 vessels in March vs ~3,000 pre-war per month | CNN, citing recent data |
| Day of the 2026 Iran-US war | Day 65 | CNN live blog, May 4, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Iran-US ceasefire over?
The April 8 ceasefire is under severe strain. Iran resumed drone and missile strikes on the UAE on May 4, and US forces destroyed six Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told Congress the ceasefire had 'terminated' hostilities, but then said publicly 'we're in a war.' No formal end to the ceasefire has been declared by either side.
How is the Strait of Hormuz closure affecting oil prices and shipping?
Iran's effective closure of the strait, through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes, has driven Brent crude to near $125 per barrel. The US blockade has denied Iran roughly $5 billion in oil revenue and left 31 Iranian tankers with 53 million barrels stranded in the Gulf, according to the Pentagon.
What happens next in the Iran war?
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper briefed Trump on potential next-phase options including limited ground interventions and energy infrastructure strikes, per GlobalSecurity.org. Diplomatic talks via Pakistan remain technically open but stalled on Iran's right to enrich uranium. CSIS analysts assess Iran is waging a war of endurance, using Hormuz leverage to outlast US political will.
What is 'Project Freedom' and why is Iran opposing it?
Project Freedom is a US military initiative announced by Trump on May 3 to help commercial vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz, backed by guided-missile destroyers, 100+ aircraft, and 15,000 troops. Iran calls it a ceasefire violation and warns it will use force to control the waterway, through which ~20% of global oil passes.
Is the US-Iran ceasefire still in effect after May 4's fighting?
The April 8 ceasefire is severely strained. Both sides have now exchanged live fire in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4. Trump has said he sees two paths: a deal or resumed military operations. A senior IRGC commander declared renewed war 'likely' on May 2, two days before the clashes.
What are the peace talks between the US and Iran about and where do they stand?
Pakistan is mediating indirect negotiations. Iran submitted a 14-point proposal on April 29 demanding security guarantees, US force withdrawals, an end to the naval blockade, sanctions relief, and Hormuz sovereignty recognition. Trump rejected the proposal on May 2, calling it unacceptable, and the May 4 fighting has put talks in further jeopardy.
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