Iran rejects military solution to ‘political crisis,’ says UAE attack not pre-planned

This live blog follows updates for Day 67 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 66, go here.

• Iran launches drones and missiles toward UAE targets
• UAE reports fires at energy sites after strikes
• United States deploys naval forces to secure Hormuz shipping
• US forces destroy Iranian boats amid escalating maritime clashes
• Leaders urge de-escalation as fragile ceasefire faces collapse

US-Iran exchange fire as Tehran denies losses, alleges civilian deaths

Published: May 5, 2026 | 02:18 GMT | by AFP

A US admiral said American forces sank six small Iranian vessels, a claim Tehran denied while accusing Washington of killing civilians on boats.

US forces "attacked two small boats carrying people... they martyred five civilian passengers and must be held accountable for their crime," Iranian state TV posted on Telegram.

US Apache attack helicopters deployed in operation against Iranian boats: CENTCOM

Published: May 5, 2026 | 02:13 GMT | by AFP

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is leading the US war on Iran, said that Sea Hawk and Apache attack helicopters were used in the reported targeting of six Iranian fast boats on Monday, which Washington said were destroyed while attempting to interfere with commercial shipping amid US operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The helicopters “were used to eliminate Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping”, CENTCOM said in a post on X.

CENTCOM also said that more than 100 aircraft – both land-based and on board two US aircraft carriers in the Gulf region — are now taking part in Operation Freedom to reopen the strait and escort ships through the waterway.

Trump says took a little detour but Iran war ‘working out very nicely’

Published: May 5, 2026 | 01:12 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump has said that a little detour was taken in the military operation against Iran, adding that it was “working out very nicely."

"They have no navy, they have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft equipment, they have no radar, they have no nothing,” he said.

Iran rejects military solution to ‘political crisis’, says UAE attack not pre-planned

Published: May 4, 2026 | 23:12 GMT | by AFP

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz makes it “clear that there’s no military solution to a political crisis,” Al Jazeera reported. 

“As talks are making progress with Pakistan’s gracious effort, the US should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire by ill-wishers. So should the UAE,” he said in a post on X. “Project Freedom is Project Deadlock.”

Separately, Iranian state TV said that the country had "no pre-planned programme" to attack oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates, after the UAE blamed the Islamic Republic for a drone strike at an energy installation in Fujairah.

"The Islamic Republic had no pre-planned programme to attack the oil facilities in question, and what happened was the product of the US military's adventurism to create a passage for ships to illegally pass through the forbidden passages of the Strait of Hormuz, and the US military must be held accountable for it," an Iranian military official told state TV.

"US officials must end the ugly behaviour of using force in the diplomatic process and stop military adventurism in this sensitive oil region that affects the economies of all countries in the world."

UK PM calls for de-escalation after UAE reports attacks

Published: May 5, 2026 | 00:10 GMT | by AFP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for de-escalation in the Middle East after the United Arab Emirates reported attacks for the first time since a truce was declared nearly a month ago.

"The UK condemns the drone and missile strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates," Starmer said in a statement.

"This escalation must cease. Iran needs to engage meaningfully in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East endures, and a long-term diplomatic solution is achieved."

Turkish, Qatari FMs discuss regional developments during call

Published: May 5, 2026 | 00:07 GMT | by Web Desk

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke to his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, to discuss the developments in the Middle East, Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency reported, according to Al Jazeera.

The two discussed developments related to ongoing talks between the US and Iran, according to diplomatic sources.

Macron says attack on UAE's civilian infrastructure ‘unjustified, unacceptable’

Published: May 4, 2026 | 23:31 GMT | by AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Iranian strikes against the UAE’s civilian infrastructure were “unjustified and unacceptable.”

“As it has done since the start of the conflict, France will continue to support its allies in the Emirates and in the region for the defense of their territory,” Macron said in a post on X.

“A lasting solution to the ongoing conflict will only come through the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to free circulation and a robust agreement that provides the necessary security guarantees to the countries of the region, particularly against the threats posed by Iran in nuclear, ballistic, and regional destabilization activities,” he added.