First modification: 05/05/2026 - 07:37Last modification: 05/06/2026 - 02:55

President Donald Trump announced this Tuesday, May 5, that the operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, called "Project Freedom", will be temporarily suspended to evaluate the possibility of finalizing and signing an agreement. Meanwhile, the blockade will remain in force.

The essentials:

Below, the most important news of the day of May 5 related to the war in the Middle East that began the joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28, and Tehran's subsequent response:

Trump announces temporary pause to operations in Hormuz, in pursuit of an agreement with Iran

US President Donald Trump reported in a publication on his Truth Social network that his forces will suspend "for a short period of time" the operations of the so-called 'Project Freedom', which seeks to reopen the passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump specified that he has made the decision "following the request of Pakistan and other countries", taking into consideration the "great progress" that has been made "towards a complete and definitive agreement" with Iran.

The Republican magnate added that he is proceeding "by mutual agreement" with "the representatives of Iran", with the aim of "seeing if the (peace) agreement can be finalized and signed."

Netanyahu expresses solidarity with president of the Emirates in the face of "Iranian attacks against civilians"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to show his solidarity in the face of what he called "Iranian attacks against civilians and civilian facilities."

Netanyuahu was one of several regional leaders who contacted the Emirati government to condemn Iranian actions over the past two days.

The WAM news agency stated that the leaders who contacted Al Nahyan "reaffirmed their countries' solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and their support for the measures it adopts to safeguard its security and stability and guarantee the safety of its citizens."

Iran denies attacking the United Arab Emirates: offensive targeted US bases

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman rejected accusations by the United Arab Emirates that the Islamic Republic had directed drone and missile attacks against its territory.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the offensives have been directed exclusively at the United States, which maintains bases in Emirati territory.

Rubio: "Iran must sit down to negotiate and accept the terms"

Speaking from the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that US forces will continue to "deploy resources to extend the defensive umbrella" that allows the flow of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and attack drones and ships that they interpret as threats.

At the same time, Rubio assured that the US envoys, real estate magnates Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, continue to "work hard" to resume diplomatic channels, adding that "Iran must sit at the negotiating table and accept the terms."

Marco Rubio confirms the death of 10 civilian sailors in operations to open the Strait of Hormuz

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a partial assessment of the operations to open the Strait of Hormuz, within the framework of the so-called "Project Freedom", and acknowledged the death of 10 civilian sailors, as well as the destruction of seven Iranian speedboats.

"They are isolated, they are starving, they are vulnerable and at least 10 sailors have died as a result, civilian sailors," said Washington's head of diplomacy.

How viable is the US operation “Project Freedom” at a time of tensions in Hormuz?

Iran says it has not launched attacks against the United Arab Emirates in recent days

Pakistani military urges restraint as US-Iran tensions rise

Pakistan's military leadership on Tuesday urged restraint to help ease growing tensions between the United States and Iran. The call came during a Corps Commanders' Conference chaired by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Since last month, Munir has maintained contact with US and Iranian officials as part of Pakistan's efforts to end the conflict.

In a statement, the army said participants discussed the evolving security environment in the context of Pakistan's rapprochements with Washington and Tehran, adding that lasting peace depends on collective restraint, responsibility and respect for sovereignty.

United Arab Emirates denounces that it is under attack with Iranian drones and missiles for the second consecutive day

The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates reported this Tuesday that its air defenses are facing new attacks with missiles and drones from Iran, on the second consecutive day of attacks after a four-week period of relative calm since the United States announced a ceasefire with Tehran.

A dense column of smoke is seen coming from the Fujairah oil industrial zone, following a drone attack, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, in this screenshot obtained from a social media video published on May 4, 2026. Social networks/Via Reuters.

Report from Ashkelon: Israel extends detention of Sumud Global Flotilla activists

"They should do the right thing, because we don't want to go in and kill people; I don't want to, I don't want to; it's too harsh": Trump on Iran

'I hope Iran's financial system fails': Donald Trump

"Iran wants to reach an agreement": Donald Trump

"Iran wants to reach an agreement. What I don't like about Iran is that they talk to me with so much respect and then go on television saying: 'We haven't talked to the president!'. They play with us," said the Republican leader.

"The increase in fuel prices is a small price to pay": Trump on the consequences of the war against Iran

United Arab Emirates affirms that it will strengthen defense capabilities against Iranian attacks

The EFE news agency reports that the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated this Tuesday, May 5, that he will continue to strengthen the country's defense capabilities, after Iran resumed, a day earlier, its attacks against Emirati territory within the framework of the war started by the United States and Israel on February 28, now under a fragile truce.

"Strengthening our defense capabilities will continue to be a key strategic objective within the UAE's comprehensive and sustainable development vision," Bin Zayed said in a speech written on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the unification of the Emirati Armed Forces.

This "vision", according to the president, has the objective that the forces of the small Persian Gulf country "continue to be, as they have always been, a shield that protects, a sword that deters and a bulwark", which "responds decisively and firmly to any threat to its sovereignty."

Former military officials say reopening the strait remains a "titanic" task

Former military officers who have served in the Strait of Hormuz told the AP news agency that opening it would be "dangerous and extremely complicated," even with military escorts, something the United States is not providing at this time.

There is little room to maneuver in the narrow waterway, and Iran can hit the entire strait and its approaches with anti-ship cruise missiles. It can also attack ships with longer-range missiles, drones, fast attack boats, and naval mines.

The experts stressed that reducing the threat would require attacking offensive ground facilities inside Iran and maintaining constant surveillance and patrols.

UN resolution proposal demands Iran stop attacks on ships in Hormuz and end "illegal tolls"

The proposed Security Council resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Gulf countries, threatens Iran with sanctions or other measures if it does not restore freedom of navigation and immediately reveal where sea mines have been laid in and around that vital shipping lane.

The draft, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, also calls for Iran to "immediately participate in and facilitate United Nations efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor in the strait" to allow the transit of vital aid, fertilizers and other goods.

The proposed resolution was drafted under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which can be implemented through military means. It threatens "effective measures that are proportionate to the severity of the situation, including sanctions" if Iran does not comply.

An earlier resolution aimed at opening the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's crude oil transited, was vetoed by Russia and China.

Members of the United Nations Security Council vote during a U.N. Security Council meeting on a resolution regarding the Strait of Hormuz at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., April 7, 2026. Reuters/Jeenah Moon.

Iranian jailers of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi are slowly killing her, says her lawyer

Narges Mohammadi is hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit after suffering two cardiac episodes in prison that did not receive medical attention, according to her lawyer in Paris, Chirinne Ardakani.

The Islamic Republic's "relentless persecution against Narges" is intended to be "a sign of terror for the entire civilian population," Ardakani said.

"The war crushes everything (...) It crushes the narrative, it shifts the media, political and diplomatic center of gravity towards destruction and the power dynamics between States, and we lose sight of the essential issue, which is the life of civilians, the legitimate struggle of Iranians for self-determination and, especially, the political prisoners, who are the last link in this media, political and diplomatic chain that no one cares about unless we constantly focus on their conditions," he added. Ardakani.

Israel extends detention of two Gaza Flotilla activists amid allegations of "torture"

At least 380 people have died in Lebanon since the start of the truce on April 17

At least 380 people have died in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into force on April 17, in a context marked by the persistence of Israeli attacks, which have also caused the displacement of thousands of civilians, according to the UNHCR.

In a statement, the UN agency warned that “widespread destruction continues in much of the country,” despite the truce agreement. This situation is affecting the homes of hundreds of thousands of people, as well as basic infrastructure, worsening the humanitarian crisis on the ground.

The data cited by the organization, from the National Scientific Research Council of Lebanon, reflects the immediate impact of the violence even after the announcement of the ceasefire. In the first three days alone, at least 428 homes were completely destroyed and another 50 were damaged.

The balance shows the fragility of the agreement and the gap between the formal commitments to cease hostilities and the reality of the confrontations, which continue to have a high human and material cost in the country.

With EFE, Reuters, AFP, AP and local media

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