Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has retaliated against US escorts of vessels from several countries, which have become side effects
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have risen sharply following US attempts to escort commercial ships, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching a series of attacks on merchant ships from several countries.
the world’s 2nd largest container shipping company, stated on May 6 that its small container ship, the San Antonio, was attacked the previous day while transiting the strait, resulting in injuries to the crew and damage to the vessel.
On May 4, a large chemical tanker belonging to a Chinese company was attacked off the coast of the UAE port of Al Jeer at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel’s deck caught fire. At the time of the attack, the ship displayed a warning “CHINA OWNER & CREW” (Chinese Owner and Crew).
A source familiar with the shipowner told Caixin that this was the first time that a Chinese oil tanker was the target of an attack, adding that it was “psychologically difficult to accept”.
Several commercial ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters on May 3–4. The attack began on May 4, when a 300,000-ton VLCC (large oil tanker), operated by (Abu Dhabi National Petroleum Company), was hit while sailing along the sea.
The UAE reported that the vessel was hit by 2 drones and condemned the Iranian attack as an act of “piracy”. The following day, the HMM Namu, a 38,000-ton cargo ship belonging to a South Korean shipping company, was attacked near the port of Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates. The attack caused an explosion and fire, prompting the crew to issue the distress call known as “Mayday”the most serious.
SEA TRAFFIC
Under the barrage of continuous attacks, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to almost zero. According to Diaodubao, a maritime digitalization platform operated by COSCO Shipping Technology, no commercial vessels transited the strait from May 5 to 6, with only one small Omani passenger ship registering movement.
An analyst from an international maritime institution told Caixin that the attack on a Chinese oil tanker serves as an important sign of rising regional tensions. The analyst stated that Iran’s sudden intensification of attacks against commercial vessels in the strait and adjacent waters was triggered by the US launch of Project Freedom and its subsequent military escort operations.
On May 3, the US President, (Republican Party), announced that the US would begin targeting operations in the Strait of Hormuz on the morning of May 4, local time, to “guide” the ships stuck out of the waterway.
Trump characterized the initiative, called Project Freedom, as a “humanitarian operation”. A Axios reported that, starting May 4, the US Navy would assist commercial vessels, including those flying the US flag, in passing through the strait, offering guidance on how to avoid mines and being ready to intervene if Iran launched an attack.
ESCORTS AND CONFRONTS
On May 4, the Alliance Fairfax, a large US-flagged cargo ship belonging to shipping giant Maersk, successfully exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz under US Navy escort. It was the first commercial vessel to transit the strait under US military protection.
In a statement to CaixinMaersk stated that the US Military recently contacted Maersk Line Limited, a subsidiary of the company, offering to protect the Alliance Fairfax on its exit from the gulf.
After jointly developing and coordinating a comprehensive security plan with the U.S. Military, Maersk Line Limited approved the crossing. The vessel left the Persian Gulf under American escort. Maersk expressed its gratitude to the US Armed Forces.
After the successful escort operation, the Iranian news agency Fars reported, on May 4, that 2 Iranian missiles “hit an American warship.” that day, disabling the vessel and forcing it to turn around and leave the area. US Central Command officials categorically denied the Iranian allegations, clarifying that no US warships had been hit.
Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, told the press on May 4 that after the US initiation of Project Freedom, Iran fired multiple cruise missiles and drones at US Navy ships and commercial vessels under its control. “protection”. In response, U.S. Apache and SH-60 Seahawk attack helicopters attacked the Iranian vessels.
Cooper said U.S. forces sank 6 small Iranian vessels that attempted to impede commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper said the American attacks were a “defensive action”. He also confirmed that no US Navy ships or US-flagged vessels were hit during the crossfire.
EXPANSION OF THE CONFLICT ZONE
In a retaliatory action, the news agency Tasnimaffiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported on May 4 that Iran had established a new “maritime control zone” in the Strait of Hormuz.
The designated area covers the territorial waters of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, including the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Connected to the Persian Gulf oil fields via pipelines, Fujairah is currently the UAE’s main crude oil export terminal, and tankers from China and other nations rely exclusively on the port to load UAE crude oil.
Simultaneously, Iran resumed its attacks on the port of Fujairah. The Fujairah press office confirmed on May 4 that a fire broke out in the emirate’s oil industrial zone, sparked by an Iranian drone strike. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “We reserve the right to a comprehensive and legal response to the attack”.
That day, an Iranian military officer told the press, regarding the massive fire at the Fujairah oil installations, that Iran had not premeditated the attack on the site.
Instead, the official said the incidents were the result of U.S. military adventurism, asserting that U.S. forces were trying to open a “illegal channel” to allow ships to pass through a restricted shipping lane in the strait, and that the US military should be held accountable.
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS
On May 6, Wang Yi met with Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, in Beijing. Wang said China believes a complete cessation of hostilities is urgent, that rekindling a war is unacceptable and that persisting in negotiations is particularly vital.
China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and appreciates Iran’s willingness to seek a political solution through diplomatic channels.
Regarding the strait, Wang noted that the international community shares common concern about restoring normality and safety of the crossing, and China hopes that the parties concerned will quickly respond to these strong global calls.
On the nuclear issue, China expressed appreciation for Iran’s commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, while affirming that Iran has the legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
China advocates that Gulf and Middle Eastern countries have their own destinies, encourages Iran and other Gulf States to engage in dialogue to achieve good-neighborly relations, and supports the establishment of a regional peace and security architecture characterized by joint participation, shared interests and common development.
This report was originally in English by Caixin Global on May 7, 2026. It was translated and republished by Poder360 under mutual content sharing agreement.
