The United States launched a military operation dubbed 'Project Freedom' on Monday, May 4, 2026, deploying Navy forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, prompting Iran to carry out attacks that damaged multiple commercial vessels and set ablaze an oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. military reported destroying six Iranian small boats during the clashes, marking the largest escalation in the region since a ceasefire was declared four weeks earlier.

Iranian forces targeted shipping lanes in response to the American effort to enforce open passage, disrupting energy transit through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The UAE confirmed attacks on its territory, while international shipping companies suspended transit through the strait pending further assessment.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday it would investigate the cause of a fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz once the ship is towed to a nearby port and damage assessments are completed. The vessel was among several commercial ships affected during the renewed hostilities.

The Biden administration has called for an emergency UN Security Council session on Wednesday to address the flare-up, while U.S. Central Command says naval patrols in the region will continue. The UAE and other Gulf states are expected to hold urgent consultations on regional security in the coming 24 hours.