Caribbean Drug Boat Strike
U.S. Southern Command reported that a strike on an alleged "narco-trafficking" boat in the Caribbean Sea on Monday resulted in two deaths. The strike occurred on May 4, according to SOUTHCOM. The command stated that "intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes."
Operation Southern Spear
According to SOUTHCOM, the two individuals killed were "male narco-terrorists," and no U.S. military personnel were harmed. At least 189 people have been killed by U.S. strikes in Operation Southern Spear, which the Trump administration initiated in early September. The U.S. military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.
Iranian Civilian Casualties
An Iranian commander claimed that U.S. forces attacked two passenger boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, resulting in the deaths of five civilians. The commander stated the boats were traveling from Khasab on the coast of Oman to the coast of Iran. According to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, the U.S. "must be held accountable for their crime."
Strait of Hormuz Tensions
The alleged attacks occurred as President Trump seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran blockaded following attacks on the country on February 28. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker, said U.S. violations of the ceasefire were endangering transit through the waterway. The Iranian military warned commercial vessels they would “jeopardise their safety” if they attempted to cross the waterway without permission.
Escalating Conflict
The United Arab Emirates reported that Iran launched a drone attack on one of its oil tankers that attempted to transit the strait, as well as launching 15 ballistic missiles and four drones at its territory. UAE authorities said the attacks set off a large fire at a major oil refinery in Fujairah and wounded three Indian nationals. A South Korean vessel, the HMM Namu, also reported an attack in the Strait of Hormuz.
Project Freedom
The U.S. military said two U.S.-flagged ships made it through the strait on Monday with the support of navy guided-missile destroyers. Maersk confirmed that the U.S.-flagged Alliance Fairfax exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz accompanied by the U.S. military on Monday. Trump told Fox News Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if it attacked US vessels carrying out Project Freedom.
