Iran war: US says ceasefire still holds despite clashes
What you need to know
- US says ceasefire not over, but warns Iranian attacks on ships will be met with 'devastating' response
- Earlier, Iran's lead negotiator warned it is prepared for a standoff in Hormuz
- World leaders criticized an Iranian attack on the Fujairah oil hub in the UAE on Monday
- Iran neither confirmed nor denied attacking the UAE
Welcome to DW's coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Tuesday, 5 May, 2026. Catch up yesterday's developments here.
Skip next section Trump downplays Iran's military capability, says war 'little skirmish'05/05/2026May 5, 2026Trump downplays Iran's military capability, says war 'little skirmish'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again framed Iran's military as "defeated," claiming its forces have been reduced to firing "peashooters."
Trump also claimed, as he has in the past, that Iran wants to "make a deal" despite Tehran continuing to "play games."
"They want to make a deal. And who wouldn't, when your military is totally gone?" he said.
The president's comments come a day after the UAE reported the heaviest Iranian missile and drone assault since a ceasefire was announced earlier in April. On Tuesday, the UAE reported new Iranian missile and drone attacks.
"We're in a little skirmish military. I call it a skirmish, because Iran has no chance. They never did. They know it," Trump said in comments at the White House during an event on physical fitness for students.
Pakistan has tried to mediate a permanent end to hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but there has yet to be any breakthrough.
Despite the recent clashes, the US has said it does not consider the ceasefire to have been violated.
When asked by a reporter what Iran would need to do to violate the ceasefire, Trump said "you'll find out, because I'll let you know ... They know what not to do."
What are the sticking points in US-Iran peace negotiations?
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DKLGSkip next section French president to push Iranian counterpart on opening Hormuz05/05/2026May 5, 2026French president to push Iranian counterpart on opening Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron said he would speak with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters while in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, Macron underscored the need for "the restoration of freedom of navigation" in the strait, where about 20% of the world's oil supplies pass through in normal circumstances.
"France has maintained a consistent position from the start. We call for the cessation of all hostilities, the return to diplomatic negotiations, and respect for all countries in the region," Macron said.
"The only possible option is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ... and the absence of any tolls or coercive measures."
"Any unilateral escalation against tankers, container ships, or third countries is a mistake that fuels war and leads to escalation," Macron said.
France and the UK have been leading efforts in Europe to establish an international naval coalition to ensure safe shipping in the strait once major hostilities cease.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DK7GSkip next section UAE says air defenses dealing with Iranian missile and drone attacks 05/05/2026May 5, 2026UAE says air defenses dealing with Iranian missile and drone attacks
The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday its air defenses are "actively engaging" with Iranian missiles and drones.
The UAE's Defense Ministry reported attacks on X that the sounds of interception of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones could be heard.
On Monday, the UAE reported attacks from Iranian missiles and drones, including at an oil facility.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DK1xSkip next section US military says ceasefire holds, despite Hormuz tension 05/05/2026May 5, 2026US military says ceasefire holds, despite Hormuz tension
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the ceasefire with Iran was still in place, despite reports of strikes by both sides on Monday.
The Pentagon chief told a press conference that the US was "not looking for a fight," but added that Iran would not be allowed to block shipping in an "international waterway."
If Iran were to attack US troops or innocent commercial shipping" it would face an "overwhelming and devastating" US response, Hegseth said.
Hegseth added that the US military is in contact with hundreds of individual ships, along with shipping companies and insurers.
General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday that Iran had fired at commercial vessels nine times and seized two container ships, along with attacking US forces, since the ceasefire. However, Caine added the attacks "fell below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point."
Caine added, however, that US forces are ready to resume major combat operations against Iran if ordered to do so.
"No adversary should mistake our current restraint with a lack of resolve," said Caine.
Here is what happened on Monday
- Merchant ships in the Gulf reported explosions and fires, and an oil facility in the UAE caught fire after reports of Iranian missile strikes, officials there said.
- The US military said it sank six small Iranian boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles
- The strikes were the largest reported since a ceasefire was called on April 7
- With negotiations deadlocked, and shipping blocked, US President Donald Trump has said the US Navy would escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz in what he has dubbed 'Project Freedom'
- Hegseth said the mission was 'temporary'
Iranian foreign minister to depart for China on Tuesday
Alex Berry EditorIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to China on Tuesday for talks, the foreign ministry announced.
"During the visit, he will meet his Chinese counterpart (Wang Yi) to discuss bilateral ties and regional and international developments," the ministry said in a statement.
Araghchi's visit to Beijing comes amid stalled negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the war in the Middle East.
China is considered the main buyer of Iranian oil and gas.
How China insulated itself from Gulf oil crises
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DIq7Skip next section Iran war: What you need to know now05/05/2026May 5, 2026Iran war: What you need to know now
The Strait of Hormuz remains de facto closed despite Donald Trump's "Project Freedom" intiative.
The US military said two American-flagged merchant ships successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday with the support of Navy guided-missile destroyers.
Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused the US of jeopardizing security in Hormuz and warned that his country had not "begun" testing the vital energy chokepoint.
Iran imposed a blockade on foreign shipping using the strait soon after the war began with a US-Israeli attack on Iran at the end of February.
The US then imposed a blockade on all traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports to strangle the Islamic Republic's main economic corridors.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DIndSkip next section Pakistan prime minister condemns attacks on UAE05/05/2026May 5, 2026Pakistan prime minister condemns attacks on UAE
Pakistan, a mediator between the US and Iran, condemned attacks on US-allied UAE and urged respect for US's ceasefire with Iran.
"Pakistan strongly condemns the missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates last night," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X.
He expressed solidarity with the Emirati people and the government of the United Arab Emirates "at this difficult time."
"It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be upheld and respected, to allow necessary diplomatic space for dialogue leading to enduring peace and stability in the region," Sharif added.
The UAE said Iran attacked oil facilities in Fujairah on Monday.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHzoSkip next section What is 'Project Freedom' and is it working?05/05/2026May 5, 2026What is 'Project Freedom' and is it working?
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US would help guide ships stranded due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump announced that the mission, dubbed "Project Freedom," would begin on Monday and involve vessels belonging to "neutral and innocent bystanders."
"The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance." Trump wrote.
"This is a humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran," he said.
How Iran exposed the limits of the US Navy
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How many ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz so far?
According to the US military, two American-flagged merchant ships successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday with the support of Navy guided-missile destroyers.
Iran denied that any such crossings had taken place, but Danish containership operator Maersk said its Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged ship, exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Monday with the help of US military.
The commander of US forces in the region also said his fleet had destroyed six small Iranian boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones.
However, Iranian media quoted a military commander as saying that US forces had targeted civilian boats, killing five people.
On Monday, Iran also claimed to have fired on a US warship approaching the Strait of Hormuz, forcing it to turn around.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHjoSkip next section Iran warns it will continue to block shipping in Hormuz05/05/2026May 5, 2026Iran warns it will continue to block shipping in Hormuz
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator in talks with the United States, has warned that his country has "not even started" with its standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; whilst we have not even started yet," he wrote on X.
Qalibaf added that the actions of the US and its allies had put shipping security at risk, but said their "malign presence will diminish."
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHQRSkip next section South Korea weighing Trumps's request to join US efforts protect ships in Hormuz05/05/2026May 5, 2026South Korea weighing Trumps's request to join US efforts protect ships in Hormuz
South Korea's presidential office is reviewing whether the country can participate in a new initiative announced by US President Donald Trump, which he has named "Project Freedom," to help stranded ships travel through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Defense Ministry said it would "carefully review our position" regarding Trump's initiative but did not commit to making any changes.
The ministry said that Seoul would consider its stance based on international law, the safety of international maritime routes, its alliance with the US and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
An explosion and subsequent fire were reported aboard a South Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
On Tuesday, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said that all 24 crew members aboard the damaged HMM Namu, including six South Korean nationals, were unharmed.
Trump said the incident should prompt South Korea to join American efforts to guide stranded ships through the strait.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHLNSkip next section India condemns Iranian attack on UAE05/05/2026May 5, 2026India condemns Iranian attack on UAE
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned the "unacceptable" drone strike on an energy facility in the UAE's Fujairah oil hub that injured three Indian nationals, without naming Iran as the instigator of the attack.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," India's foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on X, referring to the attack on the Fujairah oil hub that the UAE said Iran carried out.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the UAE.
"Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable," he wrote on X.
"Ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for enduring regional peace, stability and global energy security," Modi added.
India relies heavily on imported energy and typically sources around half of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHJ8Skip next section Fire breaks out on commercial ships at Iran’s Dayyer port, Mehr News Agency reports05/05/2026May 5, 2026Fire breaks out on commercial ships at Iran’s Dayyer port, Mehr News Agency reports
Several commercial vessels caught fire at the southern Iranian port of Dayyer, according to a report by Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency.
Firefighting teams are working to contain the blaze, the agency said, adding the cause of the incident is not yet known.
The fire at the Iranian port comes amid reports that the UAE was attacked by Iran on Monday morning for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.
The Day with Phil Gayle: flash point Hormuz
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https://p.dw.com/p/5DHJdSkip next section Iran war: What to know if you're joining us now05/05/2026May 5, 2026Iran war: What to know if you're joining us now
Roshni Majumdar EditorEuropean leaders on Monday condemned Iran for its missile and drone strikes on the UAE, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying the attacks were "vicious" and a violation of international law.
German Chancellor Friedrih Merz also condemned the attack.
In contrast, US President Donald Trump sought to downplay the attack.
The UAE said it came under attack from Iran Monday morning for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April. Iran neither confirmed nor denied the attack.
Plus, the US military said two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the strait on Monday as part of a new initiative.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHJ7Skip next section Hegseth to hold news conference, Trump says05/05/2026May 5, 2026Hegseth to hold news conference, Trump says
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, are due to hold a press conference on Tuesday, according to a social media post by US President Donald Trump.
Trump released no other details. The news conference will come a day after the US launched an effort to help vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DHEgSkip next section Tehran neither confirms nor denies attacks on Emirati oil port and ships05/05/2026May 5, 2026Tehran neither confirms nor denies attacks on Emirati oil port and ships
Following reports from the UAE of a missile and drone attack by Iran, Tehran has neither confirmed nor denied the attacks.
Earlier, Iranian state television quoted an anonymous military official as saying that Tehran had "no plan" to target the UAE or one of its oil fields.
"The incident resulted from US military adventurism to create an illegal passage," the official was quoted as saying about the oil facility attack, apparently referring to Trump's latest efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would launch an effort on Monday to "guide" ships stranded in the Gulf.
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