Iran US War News Live Updates: Pentagon chief Hegseth says ‘ceasefire is not over’
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. (Photo: AP file)
Iran US War LIVE: As the sun sets over the Persian Gulf, the world watches with bated breath. What began as a fragile pause in hostilities has rapidly descended back into a high-stakes maritime confrontation. On this Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical energy artery, has once again become a literal line of fire.
From the Oval Office to the halls of the Majlis in Tehran, the rhetoric has sharpened as “Project Freedom” meets “The Quagmire.” With global oil prices twitching at every report of a drone strike, the next few hours may determine if the Middle East slides back into a total regional conflagration.
Ceasefire on the brink
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A four-week-old truce is currently “under strain” following a direct exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces. The catalyst? “Project Freedom”, President Donald Trump’s ambitious and controversial military campaign to escort over 1,000 stranded merchant ships out of the blockaded Strait.
Iran-US war ceasefire latest updates:
Naval clash: The US military confirmed it destroyed six Iranian fast-attack boats, along with several cruise missiles and drones, during escort operations on Monday.
Fujairah ablaze: Iranian missiles have targeted the UAE port of Fujairah. Tehran has released a provocative new map claiming maritime control over parts of the Emirati coastline.
Human toll: While the US reports sinking military craft, Iranian state media claims American strikes hit commercial vessels, killing five civilians.
Diplomatic shuttle: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly headed to Rome and Vatican City to address growing tensions with Pope Leo XIV, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the war.
Stay with The Indian Express Global Desk for real-time updates, geolocated footage of the crash sites, and live reactions from the Pentagon and Tehran.
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