Iran war: US to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz

https://p.dw.com/p/5DC8o

AdvertisementSkip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Trump says US will begin an operation to aid stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz from Monday

• Iran says interference in the Strait would be seen as a ceasefire violation

• Tehran says it is weighing Washington's response to 14-point proposal

• US transfer 22 crew members of seized Iranian ship to Pakistan

Here are the latest developments from the war in Iran and the wider Middle East on Monday, May 4.

 

Skip next section US transfers crew of seized Iranian ship to Pakistan05/04/2026May 4, 2026

US transfers crew of seized Iranian ship to Pakistan

Islamabad on Monday confirmed that 22 crew members from an Iranian container ship seized by the US would be evacuated to Pakistan.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry called it a "confidence-building measure" with support from both sides. The crew would then be returned to Iran, a statement read.

Read the full report on the transfer of the Iranian ship crew members to Pakistan.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DD2LSkip next section Iran weighs US response to peace plan05/04/2026May 4, 2026

Iran weighs US response to peace plan

Iran's Revolutionary Guards has said that the US faced a choice between an "impossible" military operation or a "bad deal" with Tehran, after Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's latest peace proposal.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran had submitted a 14-point plan "focused on ending the war" and that Washington had already responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators.

The ministry added that it was reviewing the US response.

US media outlet Axios reported — citing two sources briefed on Iran's proposal — that Tehran had set a one-month deadline for negotiations on a deal. 

The Iranian plan includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting US sanctions on Iran, ending the US naval blockade of Iran's ports and permanently ending the wars in Iran and in Lebanon.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stressed that the Islamic Republic's nuclear program was not part of the talks.

"At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations," Iranian state media cited Baghaei as saying.

The comment was an ​apparent reference to Tehran's proposal to set aside talks ​on nuclear issues until after the war ⁠has ended and the conflicting sides have agreed to lift opposing blockades on Gulf shipping.

The US has demanded that Tehran abort its nuclear enrichment. Iran maintains that its program is for peaceful, civilian purposes. 

What are the sticking points in US-Iran peace negotiations?

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https://p.dw.com/p/5DCXRSkip next section Iran military warns US forces against entering Strait of Hormuz05/04/2026May 4, 2026

Iran military warns US forces against entering Strait of Hormuz

Iran's military said on Monday that American forces would be attacked if they entered the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump announced Washington would help guide stuck vessels out of the key shipping passage.  

"We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted," said Major General Ali Abdollahi of the Iranian military's central command, in a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

"We have repeatedly stated that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and under all circumstances, any safe passage must be coordinated with these forces," he added.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DCcESkip next section Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz05/04/2026May 4, 2026

Trump says US to help ships stranded in Strait of Hormuz

The US on Monday launched an effort to "guide" stranded ships of the nations not party to the Middle East conflict from the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran continues to maintain its chokehold.

It comes a day after President Donald Trump announced the new maritime operation —  dubbed "Project Freedom" —  on his Truth Social platform.

What did Trump say about the Strait of Hormuz?

The US president gave few details about the operation.

He said it was a "humanitarian" gesture for crews aboard the many ships caught in the blockade and their crews who may be running low on food and other crucial supplies.

"We will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation," Trump said.

It was not immediately clear which countries the US operation would aid.

Shortly after Trump's statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it would ​support the mission with 15,000 military personnel, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, along with warships and drones.

"Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the ​global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade," CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper, said in a statement.

How has Iran reacted?

Iran quickly slammed the move as a ceasefire violation.  

"Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire," Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security Commission in Iran's parliament, said in a social media statement.

Azizi went on to add that the critical waterway "would not be managed by Trump's delusional posts!"

Iran's blockade of the Strait, following the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28, has upended global markets, with major flows of oil, gas and fertilizer affected. 

According to maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine, more than 900 commercial vessels were located in the Persian Gulf as of April 29.

As many as 20,000 seafarers have been unable to transit the Strait during the conflict, as per the International Maritime Organization.

https://p.dw.com/p/5DCQgSkip next section Welcome to our coverage05/04/2026May 4, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Thank you for joining our Monday coverage of the Middle East as we continue to track the latest developments in the region.

First up, here's a recap of the events from yesterday.

On Strait of Hormuz

• US President Donald Trump said that the US will begin to "guide ships" of nations not involved in the Middle East conflict out of the blocked Strait of Hormuz as of Monday
• Tehran warned that any interference from Washington in the strategic waterway would violate the fragile ceasefire in the Iran war
• A cargo ship said it was attacked by several small vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first attack reported in the area since April 22
• Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated a call for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as its closure blocks the export of oil from much of the Middle East 

On peace negotiations

• The Foreign Ministry in Tehran said Iran was "reviewing" Washington's response to its 14-point proposal to end the war
• Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the Iran-backed group could "thwart" the objectives of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel

Stay tuned as we bring you more.

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