Trump downplays Iranian fire at US ships, UAE as 'Project Freedom' erodes Hormuz blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the missile fire from Iran toward the United Arab Emirates on Monday, shying away from dubbing it a violation of the ceasefire as the American “Project Freedom” continues to erode the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

CBS reported overnight that two U.S. destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Mason, broke through the blockade to enter the Persian Gulf under heavy fire from missiles, drones, and small boats.

Later, the US-flagged vehicle carrier Alliance Fairfax successfully exited the Gulf under the protection of U.S. ships, according to shipping company Maersk, while CENTCOM announced that two “US-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz.”

On Sunday, Trump announced that the U.S. Navy would begin guiding merchant ships stuck in the Gulf through the straits, effectively breaking the Iran-imposed blockade. However, senior U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that this would be accomplished by sharing the best routes to avoid sea mines laid by the Iranian Navy, rather than by military escorts.

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets launch from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is one of two aircraft carriers enforcing the blockade on Iranian ports while also supporting Project Freedom. pic.twitter.com/OZXnJpOSSd

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

The regime responded on Monday by firing at U.S. ships and a South Korean vessel, as well as launching waves of missiles and drones at the UAE; however, Trump told ABC that this wasn’t “heavy firing.”

Asked whether he thought the ceasefire had been violated, Trump replied, “We'll let you know. Ships are moving. You know, we moved quite a few last night – big ones. There was no firing. I guess there has been some recently. I'm looking into it.”

Iran “better hope [the ceasefire] remains in effect. The best thing that can happen to them is that we keep it in effect,” Trump added, noting that the Iranian missiles and drones launched at the UAE were “shot down for the most part,” though “one got through. Not huge damage.”

CNN reported Monday that an Israeli missile defense system deployed in the UAE, most likely an Iron Dome battery, had intercepted one of the projectiles.

On Monday evening, an IDF official briefed news outlets that “the IDF is monitoring the situation and remains on alert and in a state of readiness.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly requested to postpone a planned hearing of his corruption trial set for Tuesday as the Israeli military is monitoring the Iranian response and preparing for a potential resumption of full-scale fighting against the regime.

U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters are supporting Project Freedom in and near the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier today, Sea Hawk and U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters were used to eliminate Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping. pic.twitter.com/pt9eTWkhxZ

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

An Israeli source explained to Ynet News that Trump’s move created a “game of chicken” to determine who will back down first – Washington or Tehran. “The question is how the Iranians will respond,” he said, just before the launches at the UAE. “If they fold, it means they’ve lost control over Hormuz. If they choose to fight over the passage – it means an attack.”

However, the regime decided to attack the UAE, which has been hesitant to respond military against Iran while suffering even more attacks than Israel during the war.

“If [Trump] moves ships and tankers, supplying oil and goods over their heads, it means he effectively controls the strait and Iran has lost its last leverage point. In any case, it increases the likelihood of a return to fighting. There is a possibility that the Iranians will respond forcefully and escalate. That could require the U.S., and possibly Israel as well, to resume military action,” the source added.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump is hesitant to return to the bombing campaign but is also “deeply dissatisfied” with the Iranian hesitancy to agree to any compromise on the nuclear issue.

“Project Freedom,” which is aimed to erode the Iranian blockade that has been the only effective tool to pressure the U.S., was seen as an option to ramp up the pressure on Tehran without resuming the war, officials told the WSJ.

Other options that were considered included striking the remaining 25% of targets on the Pentagon’s target list, or implementing full naval escorts of tankers through the strait, like the U.S. Navy did during the “Tanker War” in 1987.

Despite the first successes of “Project Freedom,” some U.S. and foreign officials told WSJ they believed Trump is “likely” to order new strikes in Iran within days.

Iran’s parliament speaker and member of its negotiation team, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, threatened on 𝕏 that the regime would continue strikes on ships trying to transit the strait.

“The new equation in the Strait of Hormuz is taking shape. The security of shipping and energy transit is at risk due to the violation of the ceasefire and the imposition of a blockade by America and its allies. We know very well that the continuation of the current situation is unbearable for America – while we have not even begun yet,” he warned.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meanwhile wrote on social media that “Project Freedom” was a “project dead-end,” warning the U.S. and the UAE against “malign actors” who could drag them back “into the quagmire and war.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has led mediation efforts, stated that “Pakistan strongly condemns the missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates last night… 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.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Bahrain circulated a first draft of a joint resolution focused on ending Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz among members of the UN Security Council overnight.