Washington and the Gulf waters witnessed renewed tensions on Tuesday as Pete Hegseth said the fragile ceasefire with Iran remains intact, even as repeated attacks and military manoeuvres test its limits.
Hegseth stressed that the truce is “not over”, adding that Donald Trump will ultimately decide whether recent incidents amount to a violation. He also described ongoing US naval efforts to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as temporary and separate from broader military operations.
Ceasefire under strain
Despite the agreement, Iran has launched more than 10 attacks on US forces since the ceasefire began, according to Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine. Iranian leaders, however, have accused Washington and its allies of destabilising maritime security, warning that their response has only begun.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticised Gulf states for relying on foreign military protection, calling the US presence a source of “insecurity” in the region.
UAE under missile threat
The United Arab Emirates confirmed that its air defences intercepted multiple missiles and drones launched from Iran, marking the first such attack since the ceasefire took effect in early April. Authorities reported strikes near key infrastructure, including an oil facility in Fujairah, while urging residents to remain sheltered.
US moves to secure shipping
The US military said it engaged Iranian forces and sank several boats targeting civilian vessels as part of efforts to reopen safe passage through the strait. Two American-flagged ships have already crossed under military protection, as Washington attempts to ease disruptions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Iran, however, has warned that any foreign military presence in the waterway will be targeted, maintaining its grip on the route and insisting that ships coordinate with its forces.
Economic shockwaves
The crisis has begun to ripple through global markets. Oil demand is falling at one of the fastest rates outside the Covid-19 pandemic, as soaring prices and supply disruptions force businesses and consumers to cut back. In the United States, petrol prices have surged by roughly 50 per cent since the conflict began.
Diplomacy still on the table
Even as tensions rise, Tehran has signalled openness to negotiations, saying there is no military solution to the crisis. Officials have indicated readiness for escalation if necessary but have left room for diplomacy, with regional actors including Pakistan attempting to mediate.
For now, the ceasefire appears to be holding, but mounting incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz suggest it is being tested more severely with each passing day.
