A fragile ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran conflict showed dangerous cracks Tuesday as Iran launched missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, while U.S. naval forces escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz came under fire.
Iranian state media claimed Tehran maintains control of the vital waterway, through which one-fifth of global oil passes. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted the truce “is not over,” describing Iranian attacks as “below the threshold” for full resumption of hostilities. American forces reportedly sank several small Iranian boats in response.
The escalation began when Iran fired at least 12 ballistic missiles toward Dubai and Fujairah, injuring three Indian nationals. Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty. World leaders urged restraint amid fears of broader regional war.
President Trump’s administration has pushed to reopen the strait for commercial traffic, a move critics call provocative. European allies expressed alarm; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni separately clashed with Trump over unrelated troop withdrawals.
Oil prices spiked on supply fears, while shipping insurers raised war-risk premiums. Analysts warn that prolonged instability could derail fragile economic recovery post-earlier Iran conflict.
Both Washington and Tehran claim victory in the latest exchanges, but diplomats fear miscalculation could reignite full-scale fighting. Pentagon briefings continued into the afternoon as the White House monitored the situation closely.
