Iran War May Reignite Over Strait Stalemate

Iran attacked the United Arab Emirates on Monday for the first time in almost a month as the weeks-long stalemate between the US and Iran showed signs of devolving into conflict again. The UAE said its air defense systems engaged with 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones fired from Iran at different parts of the Gulf country. Alerts in the UAE came hours after a tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. was said to have been fired upon by Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz. And an oil terminal part owned by Vitol Group was said to have been attacked in the port city of Fujairah.

The strikes came as the US military said it helped two American-flagged ships go through the strait as part of a new effort announced by President Donald Trump to open a lane through the waterway. The US said it fought off attacks from Iranian drones, missiles and armed small boats. While one shipping company appeared to confirm the American operation, saying its ship was escorted from the area, the broader details of the plan remain unclear.