US Military Maintains Ceasefire Despite New Tensions in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. military officials insist a fragile ceasefire remains in effect despite renewed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, where American forces are attempting to reopen the vital waterway amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

Speaking at a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine emphasized the truce was holding despite provocations. “No, the ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth stated, even as the United Arab Emirates reported it had come under fresh Iranian drone and missile attacks on Tuesday.

The United States is pressing ahead with efforts to establish a safe shipping lane through the strait, where Iran effectively closed commercial traffic following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. On Monday, the U.S. military announced it had sunk six small Iranian boats that had threatened commercial vessels attempting to transit the waterway.

“We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet,” said Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in a social media post, suggesting Iran may be preparing a more substantial response to U.S. efforts to reopen the strait.

Iranian state media disputed the U.S. account of Monday’s engagement, claiming only two small civilian cargo vessels were struck, resulting in five civilian deaths.

The narrow 21-mile-wide strait represents a critical global chokepoint, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply typically flows. Its closure has sent fuel prices soaring and disrupted global supply chains for petroleum products and fertilizer. The economic impact has reverberated through markets worldwide since the conflict intensified earlier this year.

Gen. Caine revealed that more than 100 U.S. military aircraft are currently patrolling the skies around the strait. The U.S. has also maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, cutting off oil revenue Tehran desperately needs for its struggling economy.

So far, only two civilian vessels, both U.S.-flagged merchant ships, are known to have successfully traversed the U.S.-designated safe lane. Shipping giant Maersk confirmed one of its operated vehicle carriers had exited the strait safely with U.S. military assistance on Monday.

However, major shipping companies remain hesitant to resume normal operations. “At this point in time our risk assessment remains unchanged,” Hapag-Lloyd AG, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, said in a statement. “Transits through the Strait of Hormuz are for the moment not possible for our ships.”

The situation is particularly perilous given Iran’s military capabilities in the region. Iran can reach all parts of the strait with cruise missiles, drones, fast attack craft and naval mines. The country has attacked vessels that attempt to transit without using Iran’s own approved route along its northern coastline, which involves vetting by the Revolutionary Guard and sometimes payment.

The U.S.-designated route runs through territorial waters of Oman to the south of the strait.

“For shipping companies and for insurance companies, they still have to wait and see how this plays out,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal Middle East analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “This initiative alone isn’t something that looks like it’s going to open the Strait of Hormuz.”

The United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally in the region, has borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliation for the American effort. On Monday, the UAE said its air defenses had engaged 15 missiles and four drones fired by Iran. A drone attack sparked a fire at a key oil facility in the eastern emirate of Fujairah, wounding three Indian nationals. The British military also reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE’s coast.

On Tuesday, the UAE’s Defense Ministry announced it was responding to another wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks, though no immediate reports of damage or casualties emerged.

The attacks drew international condemnation, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling the targeting of UAE civilians and infrastructure “unacceptable.” Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also issued statements condemning the strikes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on social media that the U.S. and UAE “should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire,” though Tehran did not explicitly confirm or deny responsibility for the attacks.

The Trump administration has cited the April 8 ceasefire when arguing the president is not required to provide a formal update to Congress on the war under the War Powers Resolution, which typically requires presidents to seek formal approval for military actions 60 days after they begin.