Attack on residential building in Bukha injures 2
Iran fires 'warning shots' as US Navy ships enter Gulf via Hormuz
Published: 08:05 PM,May 04,2026 | EDITED : 12:05 AM,May 05,2026
A security source has reported that a residential building housing company employees in the Tibat area of the Wilayat of Bukha was targeted in an attack, resulting in moderate injuries to two expatriates, damage to four vehicles and shattered windows in an adjacent house.
The relevant authorities are investigating the incident and have affirmed their commitment to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of both citizens and residents.
Meanwhile, Iran's navy fired 'warning shots' at US warships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, state media said, after the American military sent destroyers into the Gulf as part of a plan to help trapped commercial vessels leave.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had announced a plan to guide ships from neutral countries out of the Gulf, saying it was a humanitarian effort to help their stranded crews.
Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been deadlocked since a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war against Iran took effect on April 8, with Tehran's stranglehold on the strait a main point of contention.
'For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these (non-combatant) countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways,' Trump posted on Truth Social, saying operations would begin on Monday.
Once out, 'they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation,' Trump added.
In response to Trump, the Iranian military's central command said any safe passage through Hormuz must be coordinated with its forces 'under all circumstances'.
US media reported that the US Navy would not escort vessels through the strait but would provide guidance on traversing the narrow seaway. News site Axios said US ships would be 'in the vicinity' to prevent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels.
On Monday afternoon, CENTCOM said that, as 'a first step' in Project Freedom, two 'US-flagged merchant vessels' had travelled out of the Gulf.
Iranian state media then reported that 'following the Zionist American destroyers' disregard for the initial warning, the Navy issued a warning shot by firing cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones around the aggressor enemy vessels'.
The Fars news agency had earlier reported that Iran hit a US warship with missiles, a claim that CENTCOM immediately denied.
There was also a brief missile attack alert sent to mobile phones in the UAE on Monday afternoon, which was later lifted.
As of April 29, more than 900 commercial vessels were located in the Gulf, according to maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine.
In the early hours of Monday, the British maritime agency UKMTO also reported an attack on a tanker off the UAE with 'unknown projectiles'.
Later in the day, the UAE said Iran had fired drones at a tanker affiliated with its state-owned oil giant ADNOC.
By blocking the strait, Iran has choked off major flows of oil, gas and fertiliser to the world economy, while the United States has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.