Israel on high alert as Iranian regime opens fire on UAE after US navy guides ships thru Hormuz Strait

The Israeli military went on high alert on Monday evening, preparing for the imminent resumption of fighting against Iran after the regime launched missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates for the first time since the start of the ceasefire.

The Iranian strikes followed the start of the American “Project Freedom,” in which the U.S. Navy began guiding merchant vessels through the Iranian blockade of the Hormuz Straits earlier Monday.

“The IDF is monitoring the situation and remains on alert and in a state of readiness,” an IDF official briefed news outlets in the evening.

“We emphasize that there is no change in Home Front Command guidelines. Our air defense systems and offensive capabilities are on high alert, unchanged since the ceasefire was decided. Any changes to the guidelines will be updated accordingly,” the official said.

CNN has reported that sources have told them that a resumption of U.S.-Israeli strikes against targets inside Iran are expected within the next day. This follows Iranian strikes on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and against the United Arab Emirates’ primary oil export… pic.twitter.com/5jtiGoQo4D

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 4, 2026

After the Iranian regime attacked merchant ships and targets in the UAE in the evening, CNN cited officials saying that they expect a resumption of U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran within 24 hours.

CNN also reported that an Israeli missile defense system deployed in the UAE took part in the interception of Iranian missiles fired at the Emirates. Israel reportedly sent an Iron Dome battery as well as other systems to assist in protecting the UAE against Iranian attacks last month.

U.S. President Trump, who had announced “Project Freedom” overnight, told Fox News that the Iranians will be “be blown off the face of the earth” if they try to target U.S. ships taking part in the mission.

President Trump issues a new warning to Iran if they attack U.S. vessels implementing "Project Freedom."

“They’ll be blown off the face of the earth," he told me. pic.twitter.com/2hhK6pUPCH

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) May 4, 2026

“We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before,” Trump added. “We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it.”

The president also wrote on Truth Social that “Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship… 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.”

He added that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, would hold a news conference soon.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. CENTCOM which has led the American military campaign against Iran, said earlier that the military destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones.

Cooper said he “strongly advised” Iranian forces to remain clear of U.S. military assets taking part in the operation.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) observes a merchant vessel while on patrol enforcing the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of today, 50 commercial vessels have been redirected by U.S. forces to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/wm7onmQCke

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 4, 2026

After the regime attacked the merchant ships, it launched several waves of missiles and drones at the UAE, according to the Emirati Defense Ministry.

In one attack, the UAE shot down three cruise missiles while another crashed in the sea. Another attack caused a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone, which is located just outside the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, the Iranian regime launched two drones at an empty crude oil tanker as it attempted to cross the strait.

In a first response to the outbreak of hostilities, Iranian state television claimed that Iran had “no plans” to target the UAE.

However, state television said earlier that the Iranian navy fired cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones as warning shots at U.S. destroyers, which it dubbed “the Zionist American destroyers,” and, “the aggressor enemy vessels.”

The U.S. military later confirmed two guided-missile destroyers had entered the Gulf as part of Operation Freedom, noting they had not been struck but were “actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping.”

“As a first step, 2 US-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey,” CENTCOM added.