Fox News reported on 4/5 that unnamed senior US officials stated the decision to resume large-scale military operations rests with President Donald Trump and Iran's leadership. They warned that Washington is nearing a decision to continue attacks, particularly after Iran targeted US warships and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On 4/5, UAE officials reported that Iran launched 4 cruise missiles and a series of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the country, injuring 6 people and causing a fire at an oil facility. British officials also announced two cargo ships caught fire off the coast of the UAE. The US military, on the same day, declared it destroyed 6-7 Iranian speedboats in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran accused the US of attacking two small civilian boats "carrying civilians traveling from Khasab, Oman, towards the Iranian coast," resulting in 5 deaths. The White House and Iranian officials have not commented on this information.

A US official stated that commanders in the Middle East "have full authority to act" to protect forces and commercial transport. "They are authorized to order strikes if they detect a launcher moving or a missile deployed. We can target known threats without waiting for Iran to fire first," the official said.

Neither side has yet decided to end the ceasefire, effective from 8/4. The US military has not received orders for airstrikes against Iran; instead, it is focusing on "Project Freedom," an operation launched by President Trump to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

A US F-16 fighter jet preparing for refueling in the Middle East in a photo released on 5/5. Photo: CENTCOM

Since the conflict erupted in late February, Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz for most vessels, excluding its own and those of "friendly" nations. Conversely, the US imposed a counter-blockade on all Iranian seaports starting from 13/4. On 3/5, the US initiated Project Freedom to guide ships stranded in the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. A US warship transited the Strait of Hormuz on 4/5, escorting two US-flagged cargo ships out of the area.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, reported that approximately 15,000 troops, 100 aircraft, numerous warships, and unmanned vehicles participated in this operation.

Nguyen Tien (According to Reuters, AFP, AP, Fox News)