Is US-Iran ceasefire unravelling? Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ raises risks in Hormuz; All you need to know

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared increasingly uncertain Tuesday after fresh military activity in the region, including Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates said Iran launched a wave of missiles and drones on Monday.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said its systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four unmanned aerial vehicles.

A drone strike triggered a major fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, injuring three Indian nationals.

The attacks mark a significant escalation as the nearly monthlong ceasefire between Washington and Tehran shows signs of strain.

The UAE, a key US ally in the Gulf, has partially closed its airspace from May 4 to May 11, restricting commercial traffic to narrow corridors under a notice to airmen (NOTAM).

The Al Dhafra air base, which hosts US and coalition forces, remains operational under limited routing.

Since the start of what the UAE described as Iranian attacks, its air defenses have intercepted hundreds of projectiles, including 549 ballistic missiles and more than 2,200 drones.

Meanwhile, the US military said it destroyed six small Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, a claim disputed by Iranian state media.

US President Donald Trump later said seven boats had been shot down.

Speaking to reporters, US Central Command chief Adm. Bradley Cooper said coalition forces had contacted dozens of vessels to maintain traffic through the narrow waterway.

“Ships in the Arabian Gulf represent 87 countries and are neutral and innocent bystanders,” Cooper said.

Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, saying its forces would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they targeted US ships in the Gulf. He also suggested ongoing negotiations with Tehran were showing signs of progress, describing Iranian negotiators as “far more malleable” than before.

Iran stopped short of directly claiming responsibility for the UAE attacks. However, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned both Washington and Abu Dhabi against escalation.

“Events in Hormuz make clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis,” Araghchi said. “As talks are making progress with Pakistan's gracious effort, the U.S. should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE. Project Freedom is Project Deadlock.”

The attacks come as US President Donald Trump presses ahead with a high-risk plan, dubbed “Project Freedom,” to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become the focal point of the standoff.

Trump’s initiative to escort ships through the chokepoint was intended to break a deadlock with Iran, which has resisted US demands to allow free passage.

But the move appears to have backfired, pushing the ceasefire to what analysts describe as a breaking point. “It is very bad and messy at the moment,” CNN quoted a regional source as saying.