New Delhi: The fragile Iran-US ceasefire teetered towards the edge of collapse Monday, with Tehran launching missiles at the UAE, and Washington sinking seven Iranian speedboats. The strikes at UAE’s Fujairah Oil Industry Zone injured at least three Indians.
“The UAE’s air defenses are currently dealing with missile attacks and incoming drones from Iran, and the Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of the UAE air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones,” the Emirati Ministry of Defence said in a statement late Monday evening.
Abu Dhabi added that it engaged with 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles and 4 drones Monday evening launched from Iran, with “three moderate injuries” to individuals. This is the first time since 8 April, the Gulf country has come under Iranian attack.
In a statement on the social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald J. Trump asserted that Tehran has “taken some shots at unrelated Nations” with respect to “the Ship Movement” including a South Korean vessel.
“Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission! We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, “fast” Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, will have a News Conference tomorrow morning. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he said Monday.
There, however, has been no announcement by either Iran or the US of the collapse of the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in a statement on the social media platform X, claimed that the “events in Hormuz” underlines that there’s “no military solution to a political crisis.”
“As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into a quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE. Project Freedom is Project Deadlock,” he added.
For almost a month, the US and Iran have been engaged in talks, both direct and indirect, via Pakistan to find a solution to the war. Open hostilities broke out between Washington and Tehran following the joint US-Israel strikes on the West Asian nation at the end of February.
Tehran moved to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, having a huge impact on the global energy markets. At least a fifth of the world’s energy supplies flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire was set to see the opening of the Strait.
However, the US has continued to blockade Iranian ports, in an attempt to force Tehran to return to the negotiating table. This move led Tehran to once again close the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the current situation of no war and no peace.
For over 40 days, the US, Israel and Iran continued open hostilities. On 8 April, a ceasefire was announced. Direct negotiations between the two countries were held on 11 April in Islamabad. That talks, however, are yet to find a negotiated settlement.
The second round of direct negotiations failed to materialise a couple of weekends ago, as Tehran has maintained that as long as the US blockade remains in place, it is not interested in direct negotiations.
The US has at various times called on various countries to step in to open the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump has also made it clear that Washington can carry on by itself in the current scenario.
However, the ongoing conflict continues to roil energy markets. Indian ships have been able to pass through Hormuz over the last two months, albeit at a slower pace. US Central Command Monday asserted that two American-flagged ships transited through the Strait of Hormuz. Maersk, the Danish shipping company, said that one of the two vessels was operated by them and had successfully transited the Strait.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Pakistan not ‘consequential’ for determining future of West Asia, says Israeli envoy Reuven Azar