Iran’s armed forces have ordered all commercial ships and tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate their movements with Iranian military units. A military statement carried by Iranian media warned that vessels failing to comply could come under attack. The statement emphasized that the security of the strait is under the control of Iran’s armed forces and that safe navigation must occur only through coordination with them.

The warning came just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump announced an ‘escort mission’ aimed at assisting stranded ships in the area. Iran’s statement declared that it would use its full strength to maintain security in the strait and cautioned that any foreign armed forces, particularly U.S. troops, attempting to enter or approach the area would be targeted.

The development highlights renewed tension in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with both Iran and the United States signaling readiness to assert control over navigation and security in the region.

A United Airlines Boeing 767 arriving from Venice struck a lamppost and a delivery truck while landing in New Jersey, United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft, operating as Flight 169, made contact with a light post on the New Jersey Turnpike near Newark Liberty International Airport around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday. Despite the collision, the plane landed safely, and an investigation has been initiated.

According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, none of the 221 passengers or 10 crew members on board were injured. The truck driver sustained minor injuries, received treatment at a hospital, and was later released. The incident caused minor damage to the aircraft and to a southbound tractor-trailer. United Airlines stated that the involved crew members have been temporarily removed from duty as part of the investigation process.

Authorities said the FAA and other agencies will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the cause and ensure safety compliance.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that maritime security risks in the Strait of Hormuz remain at a critical level due to ongoing military operations in the area. The organization has advised sailors navigating through the strait to remain vigilant and maintain communication with Omani authorities via VHF Channel 16.

UKMTO further recommended that vessels consider using Omani waters south of the Traffic Separation Scheme, where the United States has established an expanded security zone. The advisory follows an earlier incident near the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where an oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile.

According to UKMTO, all crew members aboard the affected vessel were safe, and there were no reports of environmental damage resulting from the incident.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that European countries have understood Donald Trump’s message and are now ensuring the implementation of agreements related to the use of military bases. He made the remarks following Trump’s criticism that some NATO members were not contributing enough to support the United States in its conflict with Iran.

Speaking to reporters at a European Political Community summit in Armenia, Rutte acknowledged that there had been some disappointment from the U.S. side but said European nations had listened and were acting accordingly. His comments suggest a shift in NATO members’ stance following Trump’s strong message regarding military cooperation.

The development indicates that European allies are taking steps to align more closely with U.S. expectations on defense commitments, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions involving Iran.

Iran has warned that any U.S. intervention in the newly established maritime regime in the Strait of Hormuz will be treated as a violation of the ceasefire. Iranian lawmakers and military officials stated that if U.S. naval forces enter the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf, Iranian forces will engage them directly in battle.

According to Iranian political and military officials, the recent war has altered regional dynamics, leading to the creation of a new governance structure in the strategic waterway. Iran aims to maintain full control over the strait at any cost. Analysts noted that control of the Strait of Hormuz has become crucial for Iran, whose economy remains under pressure from decades of U.S. sanctions and recent wartime damage to its industrial infrastructure.

Tehran has also warned that if the United States attempts to escort stranded ships through the strait, Iran will respond militarily, effectively ending the current ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that ongoing discussions with Iran are 'very positive' and aimed at finding a solution to the conflict. He announced that the United States will soon begin assisting ships trapped in the blocked Strait of Hormuz to exit safely. The announcement came as tensions remain high following recent military actions between the two nations. According to AFP, the initiative will start Monday morning under the name 'Project Freedom'.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said Tehran has offered a 14-point proposal to end the war, and Washington has responded through Pakistani mediators. A ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but no permanent peace agreement has been reached. The conflict began after a February 28 US-Israel strike in Iran that killed the country’s supreme leader, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran.

The US Central Command confirmed its participation in Project Freedom, deploying guided-missile destroyers, over 100 air and sea-based aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 troops. Admiral Brad Cooper described the mission as vital for regional security and global economic stability.

The United States military has transferred 22 crew members from the seized Iranian container ship MV Tuskar to Pakistan for repatriation to Iran. The ship was detained last month in the Gulf of Oman after allegedly attempting to breach a US naval blockade. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that the repatriation process was completed on Monday.

According to CENTCOM, the MV Tuskar was seized on April 20 during a US operation in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has condemned the seizure, calling it an act of piracy. The US military stated that the vessel is now in the process of being returned to its previous ownership. In addition to the 22 crew members, six other passengers—believed to be family members of the sailors—were sent to a Middle Eastern country last week for repatriation.

The incident has added to ongoing maritime tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly over shipping routes in the region.

Two human rights activists detained from the Gaza-bound 'Global Sumud Flotilla' were allegedly subjected to severe physical abuse by Israeli forces, according to Palestinian rights group Adalah. Lawyer Lubna Tuma told Al Jazeera that the Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla in international waters last week and took Brazilian activist Thiago Avila and Palestinian-origin activist Saif Abu Keshek into custody. While other members were released in Greek waters, these two were transferred to Israel and detained.

Tuma reported that the detainees were blindfolded, forced to lie face down with their foreheads pressed to the ground, and repeatedly beaten and verbally abused. Avila reportedly lost consciousness twice due to the intensity of the assault. Tuma met the activists for the first time since their detention on Saturday, when they described the violence they endured.

According to Tuma, the treatment inflicted on the two activists constitutes torture under international law. The allegations were reported by Al Jazeera, citing Adalah’s account of the incident.

Japan and Australia held a high-level meeting to strengthen energy security and cooperation on critical minerals as global oil supply disruptions intensify. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Monday to discuss energy, critical minerals, and defense collaboration, according to AFP.

Before the meeting, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that gas plays a vital role in ensuring joint energy security between the two nations, describing it as the foundation of their energy partnership. She also noted that export partners rely on consistent and reliable supply. The talks come as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz face disruptions following U.S. and Israeli attacks and Iran’s restrictions on maritime traffic.

Japan expressed interest in securing stable supplies of critical minerals essential for semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and defense equipment. Both countries are also deepening defense cooperation, including a major naval deal signed last year. Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a strategy that has drawn criticism from China.

Leading figures in the global shipping industry have expressed caution over the United States' newly launched 'Project Freedom', aimed at ensuring safe passage for neutral vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative began on Monday and includes missile destroyers, over a hundred aircraft, and 15,000 troops. US Central Command chief Brad Cooper described the mission as essential for regional security and the global economy, while confirming that the existing naval blockade would remain in place.

Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern, said that resolving the strait’s blockade requires agreement from all sides, warning that unilateral decisions would not change the situation at sea. Richard Hext, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, cited Iran’s parliamentary security commission as saying Tehran views the US move as a violation of the ceasefire, urging caution among shipowners.

A US official told CNN that the operation is not an escort mission, and details about its implementation and beneficiary countries remain unclear.

A projectile struck an oil tanker near the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to a British maritime agency on Monday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the incident occurred 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah. The crew members were confirmed safe, and authorities have launched an investigation. UKMTO urged all vessels in the area to remain cautious following the attack.

At the same time, the United States announced plans to assist ships navigating the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, despite a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict that took effect on April 8. Iran continues to maintain strict control over the strategic waterway, while the US has imposed a naval blockade on Tehran.

The US Central Command said the operation will involve guided missile destroyers, over 100 aircraft, unmanned vehicles, and 15,000 troops. Maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine reported that as of April 29, more than 900 commercial vessels were present in the Gulf region, down from over 1,100 before the conflict began.

Former US naval officer and Kilwynn Group chairman Harlan Ullman has warned that Donald Trump’s announced ‘Project Freedom’ to resolve the Hormuz Strait crisis could lead to a major disaster if not carefully planned. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ullman said the mission carries extremely high risks, particularly if Iran decides to resist the operation.

He noted that Iran possesses a large number of drones and small warships, which could make the mission highly challenging. Ullman cautioned that any attack on a US warship would leave Washington with no choice but to retaliate. He expressed hope that Trump’s declaration was part of a diplomatic initiative coordinated with Iran and mediators such as Pakistan, Oman, or Saudi Arabia.

According to Ullman, the only sustainable solution lies in reopening the Hormuz Strait and initiating long-term diplomatic talks on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He emphasized that the crisis should be resolved through negotiation rather than military escalation to protect the global economic system.

The United Arab Emirates has lifted its temporary ban on all air traffic after assessing improved security conditions. The General Civil Aviation Authority announced on Saturday that the country’s airspace has returned to normal operations. The decision followed coordination with relevant authorities to evaluate operational and safety conditions, though officials said they would continue monitoring the situation.

The UAE had imposed the ban after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with attacks on US bases across the Middle East. The conflict led several Gulf countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, to close their airspace partially or completely. Major UAE airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, among the busiest international hubs, had been affected since late February.

According to aviation data firm Cirium, more than 11,000 flights to and from the region were canceled in the early days of the conflict. The lifting of restrictions is expected to ease disruptions for international travelers and airlines operating between Europe and Asia.

Israeli military attacks have continued across southern Lebanon, with multiple areas hit by airstrikes and shelling. Local sources reported deadly assaults in several locations, including Arab Salim and Srifa near Tyre, where a medical center was struck, injuring at least four paramedics. Heavy exchanges of fire were also reported between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces near Bint Jbeil, while nearby Haris and surrounding regions faced intense bombardment.

In the southwestern Chama area, Israeli forces reportedly expanded destructive operations, with allegations of civilian homes and historical sites being demolished in Biyyada. Residents described constant aerial activity involving warplanes and drones, heightening fear across the region. Despite hopes for a ceasefire, military tension in southern Lebanon has sharply escalated.

According to the Lebanese government, more than 40 people have been killed in just two days, pushing the crisis to a severe level.

Iran has executed three men accused of working for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad and inciting violence during anti-government protests in Mashhad. The executions were carried out following allegations that the men were involved in violent acts during demonstrations in the northeastern city earlier this year. The semi-official Fars News Agency identified the executed individuals as Mehdi Rasouli, Mohammadreza Miri, and Ebrahim Doulatabadi.

According to the report, Rasouli and Miri were described as linked to Mossad and accused of participating in the killing of security officer Hamidreza Yousefnejad. They were also charged with destroying public property, looting, using Molotov cocktails, and committing crimes against national security. Doulatabadi was accused of leading riots in Mashhad’s Tabarsi area and organizing 250 to 300 armed rioters.

Authorities claimed that several security personnel were killed in the clashes, and Doulatabadi was held responsible for damage to a bank, a Basij military base, and other public and private properties.