Tehran: The Iranian parliament speaker warned the United States that Iran has only just begun its conflict amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, following the U.S. launch of Operation Project Freedom to guide stranded merchant ships out of the Strait.
According to Thai News Agency, despite a ceasefire declared on April 8, tensions escalated again when the United States launched Project Freedom, a mission to guide stranded commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that had been blocked since late February. Iran viewed this as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Mohammad Bagher Galibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, stated that a new equation is forming in the Strait of Hormuz over the control of global energy routes, as the influence of the United States and its allies in the region diminishes, while Iran gains significant leverage over this vital shipping lane. He warned that Iran will not accept the current status quo, which he considers unacceptable to the United States. He emphasized that Iran has absolute control over the strait, and if Iran cannot use the route, other nations will also face restrictions. Galibaf added that, to put it mildly, Iran has even begun to take concrete action, implying that it has even stronger countermeasures in place if the United States continues its military pressure.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated via the X platform that the US Project Freedom mission is heading towards a dead end and emphasized that military means cannot resolve the political crisis. He also warned that the US, as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are being dragged into a quagmire by hostile groups.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new map officially defining the areas it claims control over in the Strait of Hormuz. The map outlines the boundaries of the areas it asserts military control over: to the west, the boundary between Iran's Qeshm Island and the UAE's Umm Al Quwain; and to the east, the boundary between Iran's Mount Mubarak and the southern area of Fujairah, UAE. The IRGC emphasized that navigation through the strait requires coordination and permission from the Iranian military. Any vessel that fails to comply with regulations or lacks prior route coordination may be intercepted by force. Furthermore, the IRGC stated that the security of the Strait of Hormuz rests solely with the Iranian government.
The latest exchange of statements from both sides comes after the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed to have destroyed 6-7 IRGC speedboats and intercepted drones and missiles attempting to obstruct commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz under Operation Project Freedom, involving over 15,000 personnel, along with destroyers and fighter jets. Iran denied these claims, stating that the U.S. attacked civilian vessels, resulting in five deaths. CENTCOM also confirmed that two U.S.-flagged cargo ships successfully passed through the strait, one of which was the Maersk Alliance Fairfax, which was under U.S. military protection.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported that the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu, anchored near UAE waters, was struck, resulting in an explosion and fire in its engine room. All 24 crew members are safe, and the fire was successfully extinguished, but the ship sustained damage rendering it immobile. It will be towed to Dubai.
Additionally, there were reports of drone and missile attacks from Iran on the Fujairah oil industrial zone in the UAE, resulting in a major fire and injuring three Indian citizens. Iran denied any plans to attack the UAE, while UAE authorities condemned the Iranian attacks as risking escalating the conflict and reserved the right to retaliate.