Summary

  1. UAE says it reserves 'full and legitimate right' to respond to attackpublished at 18:07 BST

    We've just seen a new statement from the United Arab Emirates, saying it holds Iran "fully responsible" for new strikes today.

    "These attacks constitute a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable transgression," the statement says, adding that it violates the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

    The UAE also says it "reserves its full and legitimate right to respond to these attacks" in line with international law.

    Iranian state TV has quoted an unnamed "senior military official" saying that "Iran has had no plans to target the UAE". No officials have responded further.

  2. Brent crude rises above $115 after reports of Fujairah firepublished at 17:43 BST

    Ben King
    Business reporter

    It has been another day of wild swings on the oil market, and the benchmark Brent crude oil price hit its highest levels of the day following reports of drone strikes in the UAE.

    Brent passed $115 a barrel shortly after 17:00 BST after reports that the key oil port of Fujairah had come under attack, up more than 5% on the day.

    Fujairah lies on the east coast of the UAE, beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

    A pipeline from the oilfields of Abu Dhabi runs to Fujairah, allowing limited amounts of crude to be loaded on to tankers and shipped to world markets despite the strait being effectively blockaded.

    Brent crude hit $114 earlier in the day after reports that Iran's military had hit a US destroyer. Prices fell back again when the US said its ships had not been hit.

    The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping route in the Gulf region, is one of the world's most important shipping routes. Bounded to the north by Iran and to the south by Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf with the Arabian Sea. The strait is deep enough for the world's biggest crude oil tankers, and is used by the major oil and gas producers in the Middle East - and their customers.
  3. Three people suffer 'moderate injuries' after strike on oil industry zone - Fujairah authoritiespublished at 17:32 BST

    Now an update from Fujairah, which reported a large fire after a drone attack from Iran earlier.

    Three Indian nationals have been taken to hospital for treatment after the strike on the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (Foiz), according to the city's media office.

    In a statement, the media office says the three nationals sustained "moderate injuries".

    The Foiz is an energy hub hosting one of the largest oil storage facilities in the Middle East.

  4. Qatar calls reported attack on UAE vessel 'violation of international law'published at 17:19 BST

    The latest reports from Fujairah in the UAE come after a tanker linked to Adnoc, the state-owned oil company, was reportedly hit in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Neighbouring Qatar has condemned the tanker attack. In a statement, its foreign ministry called the attack "a blatant violation of international law and the principle of freedom of maritime navigation".

    It has again called for the strait's "unconditional reopening".

    Meanwhile, the UAE continues to report missile attacks, with its latest warning issued at 19:49 local time (16:49 BST).

    We're yet to hear from any Iranian officials confirming the attacks.

  5. UAE reports large fire at oil port after drone attack from Iranpublished at 16:50 BST
    Breaking

    We're also hearing from local officials in Fujairah, who say a large fire has broken out at the key UAE oil port after it was hit by a drone attack from Iran.

    Fujairah is the Emirates' biggest port and oil storage facility. Before the ceasefire, it was also targeted in drone attacks.

    In a statement shared on social media, the Fujairah Government Media Office says civil defence teams are working to contain the fire.

    The report of the strike came after the UAE defence ministry said it had intercepted three missiles launched from Iran.

    The Iranian government has not commented on the attack.

  6. Three missiles from Iran intercepted - UAE defence ministrypublished at 16:28 BST

    The UAE's defence ministry says it has intercepted three missiles launched from Iran, while a fourth fell into the sea.

    In a post on social media, it says explosions heard in parts of the country were due to the interceptions.

    This comes shortly after the country's emergency management authority said it was responding to missile threats.

    Iran has not commented on the attack.

  7. UAE says its air defences responding to missile threatpublished at 16:11 BST

    The UAE says its air defences are responding to a missile threat.

    The country's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority is urging people to stay in a safe place.

    This comes after an earlier missile alert was sent to UAE residents. South Korean officials have also said a cargo vessel anchored in waters near the UAE may have been struck, causing an explosion.

    A regional map highlighting Iran in white with its name in red. Surrounding countries are labeled in grey, neighbouring Iraq to the west and other Middle Eastern countries including Syria, Jordan, Israel, Gaza and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Oman. Bodies of water such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman are marked in blue.
  8. Iran says US claim about ships passing through the strait 'entirely false'published at 15:54 BST

    Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 4, 2026Image source, ISNA/WANA/Reuters

    Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has called the US claim about ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz “outright lies”.

    Earlier, US Central Command said two US-flagged merchant vessels had “successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz”.

    Now, Iranian state media have shared a statement from the IRGC saying “no commercial vessels or oil tankers” have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in “recent hours”.

    The IRGC says the US statements are “baseless and entirely false”, and warns that any other movements against the instructions of the IRGC Navy “face serious risks”.

  9. 'Suspected strike' hits South Korean vessel and causes explosion - officialpublished at 15:43 BST
    Breaking

    There’s been a suspected strike on a South Korean cargo vessel anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

    At about 12:40 BST (11:40 GMT), a "suspected strike" was reported on a cargo vessel named HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz, the ministry says.

    The vessel was reportedly anchored in waters near the UAE. There are 24 crew members on board, including six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals, according to the ministry. No casualties have been reported.

    The ministry says an explosion is believed to have occurred on the port side of the engine room during the suspected strike.

    This comes after reports from the UAE that a tanker linked to Adnoc, its state-owned oil company, was hit in the Strait of Hormuz earlier today.

  10. Iran says warning shots fired at US destroyerspublished at 15:33 BST

    Earlier, Iranian state media reported that the military had hit a US destroyer trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz - something the US has denied.

    We've now had further comment from the Iranian military.

    It says the Iranian Army Navy "issued a warning and fired warning shots along the route of the hostile enemy destroyers".

    The Iranian military says US destroyers turned off their radars before approaching the strait, and were "detected immediately" after reactivating them.

    The destroyers then received a radio warning from the Navy "regarding the dangers of violating the ceasefire", the Iranian military adds.

    Another "explicit warning" was sent to the destroyer, according to the Iranian military, saying that "any attempt to enter the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the ceasefire and would be met with a response from naval forces".

    It says warning shots were fired after the Americans "disregarded" the warning.

  11. BBC Verify

    We're looking into Centcom's claim that two US vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuzpublished at 15:16 BST

    By Emma Pengelly

    We've been checking the ship tracking tool MarineTraffic after US Central Command (Centcom) said two US-flagged merchant vessels "successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz".

    We haven't seen vessels matching this description on MarineTraffic but are continuing to monitor the site.

    As we mentioned earlier, MarineTraffic publishes details about vessels including their locations using information broadcast by an onboard tracker called Automatic Identification System (AIS).

    But vessels can also turn off their location transmissions, meaning they wouldn't be visible on tracking platforms like MarineTraffic. It's also possible for vessels to falsify their positions, a process known as spoofing.

  12. US says Navy and merchant vessels have passed through strait - recappublished at 15:07 BST

    A small ship in the strait of hormuz.Image source, Reuters

    Donald Trump says the US military will guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz - but Iran insists any ships wanting to cross the crucial shipping passage will need its permission.

    Here’s what else to know:

    Centcom says plan is working: In an update, it says two US-flagged merchant ships have crossed the strait - Iran has yet to comment.

    Conflicting messages: Iran says it stopped a US destroyer from entering the strait. US Central Command (Centcom) denies this, saying none of its ships have been struck.

    Thousands still trapped: Sailors have been trapped in the waterway since the start of the war - with supplies said to be dwindling, our international correspondent reports.

    Oil prices rise again: Oil prices have jumped after Iran said it hit a US destroyer, soaring to $114 per barrel - a 5% rise from the market opening.

  13. UAE residents receive missile alertpublished at 14:43 BST

    Frank Gardner
    Security correspondent

    United Arab Emirates residents have just received a missile alert from the Ministry of Interior.

    Shortly afterwards, an all clear message was sent, telling residents "the situation is currently safe" and that normal activities can resume.

    It's not yet clear what triggered the warning.

    A screengrab of an alert message in UAE
  14. Escorting ships through Hormuz strait is a risk, says former US navy captainpublished at 14:30 BST

    Kevin Eyer speaks to the BBC via video link. He is wearing a suit and tie and positioned in front of a wall with various framed pictures.

    Any plan to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz comes with "significant risk", says a retired US navy captain.

    Kevin Eyer, who previously commanded three warship cruisers, tells the BBC News channel that it's unclear whether the US intends to "guide and coordinate, or to actually go in and do a classic convoy situation".

    "The difference between these two things is the difference between night and day. The active escort is the most dangerous and fraught solution," he says.

    Eyer points out that Iran still has a number of anti-ship ballistic missiles, as many as 1,000 anti-ship drones, and "hundreds of fast patrol boats which can be armed with rockets".

    The US says navy destroyers and US-flagged merchant ships have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's military earlier said it would attack US forces if they entered the strait.

  15. Centcom says US Navy and US-flagged merchant vessels pass through straitpublished at 13:41 BST

    US Central Command (Centcom) has issued a short update.

    It says two US-flagged merchant vessels have "successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz".

    Centcom adds that US Navy guided-missile destroyers are operating in the Gulf after transiting through the Strait.

    "American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping," the update says.

    Centcom has not provided the names of the vessels which it says have successfully sailed through the strait.

  16. Recap: Iran and US issue conflicting reports on American warship strikepublished at 13:19 BST

    Iran's claim that it hit a US Navy vessel earlier has been rejected by the American military - here's how the conflicting narratives emerged:

    • Iranian state media put out reports that Iran had prevented a US Navy destroyer from entering the Strait of Hormuz
    • The reports included a claim from the Iranian military that it hit an American ship with two missiles, near Bandar-e-Jask on the Iranian coast
    • US news outlet Axios then cited an unnamed senior US official as denying that a US ship had been hit
    • Soon after, US Central Command (Centcom) put out a statement, echoing this denial. It said no US ships had been struck and that US forces were supporting the operation "and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports"
    Map showing Iran’s southern coast and the Strait of Hormuz between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iran is labelled, with Bandar‑e‑Jask marked on the coast near the eastern entrance to the strait. The Arabian Sea lies to the south east, and an inset globe highlights the location in the wider region.
  17. UAE says its tanker in Hormuz strait has been hit, with no injuries reportedpublished at 12:43 BST
    Breaking

    The United Arab Emirates says a tanker affiliated with Adnoc, its state-owned oil company, has been hit in the Strait of Hormuz.

    No one has been injured, the country's foreign ministry says in a statement, adding:

    "This attack constitutes a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolution 2817, which affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, and rejected the targeting of commercial vessels or the obstruction of international maritime routes.

    "Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security."

    The UAE has called for Iran to stop the attack and "ensure its full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz".

  18. 'A serious warning' - IRGC reportedly says it'll strike vessels entering strait without permissionpublished at 12:38 BST
    Breaking

    Ghoncheh Habibiazad
    Senior reporter, BBC Persian

    Fars Plus, an outlet associated with Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, has published two voice notes attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

    In them, warnings are issued in Persian and English to vessels in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman saying the strait "remains closed".

    I've listened in and this is what the messages say:

    "This is a serious warning from the naval forces of the IRGC. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and passage through it without the permission of the Islamic Republic of Iran and outside the designated route is prohibited.

    "If any vessel passes without permission at longitude 56°00′ East in the Persian Gulf and latitude 25°40′ North in the Sea of Oman, it will be struck and destroyed."

  19. Oil prices jump as Iran claims to have hit US ship - followed by Centcom denialpublished at 12:24 BST

    Ben King
    Business reporter

    Oil prices spiked sharply in response to reports from Iranian state media that two missiles hit a US warship as it tried to enter the Strait of Hormuz.

    The Brent crude benchmark price soared by more than $4 per barrel within minutes of the news breaking, to hit $114, more than 5% up on the day's opening price.

    It fell back slightly after the US denied the strike took place.

    Late last night, Donald Trump announced a plan to guide stuck vessels out of the Gulf, calling it a "humanitarian gesture".

    If the attempt to sail ships through the strait leads to another outbreak of hostilities, that would reduce the chances of flows of oil and gas resuming and be likely to send oil prices soaring even further.

  20. US denies Iranian claim it struck American warshippublished at 12:06 BST
    Breaking

    US Central Command (Centcom) denies that one of its warships has been struck by two Iranian missiles.

    In a post on X, Centcom says "no US Navy ships have been struck". It adds: "U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports."

    The Iranian military earlier claimed that it had prevented a US Navy destroyer from entering the Strait of Hormuz.

    Fars, the semi-official Iranian news agency, said a vessel was hit by two missiles as it was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz "in violation of traffic and shipping security".