A swarm of more than 300 Iranian fast-attack boats was identified in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday as diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington continued.
According to maritime intelligence firm Windward AI , 342 boats were deployed across five monitored zones — a “step down from yesterday’s 454, but still elevated compared with the 27 to 230 range observed between May 4 and May 10,” the firm said in a post shared on X.
On May 11, a swarm of about 200 Iranian fast-attack boats brought the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual standstill, the firm said.
Windward also reported a heavy concentration of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small craft inside the northern Hormuz Corridor, using “swarm-style formations” and “escort-like behavior” to disrupt commercial traffic.
“The swarm coincides with a total halt in commercial movement, with all large-hull vessels currently observed as stationary,” Windward said.
Iran also expanded its definition of the Strait of Hormuz into a “vast operational area” far wider than before the conflict, according to reports.
Citing Mohammad Akbarzadeh, deputy political director of the IRGC Navy, the state-affiliated Fars News Agency reported May 12 that the strait is no longer viewed as a narrow stretch around a handful of islands.
Instead, it has been expanded in both scope and military significance, Akbarzadeh said, according to Reuters.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Iran’s rapidly expanding drone and missile capabilities were nearing a point where they could overwhelm regional defenses, calling the threat an “intolerable risk.”
“Iran was building up a conventional capability where they would have so many missiles and so many drones that they could overwhelm anybody's defenses,” Rubio told Sean Hannity aboard Air Force One en route to Beijing for a high-level summit with President Xi Jinping.
“Once they had that, nobody could do anything about their nuclear program, because they would say, ‘If you attack our nuclear program, we will wipe out six countries in the Gulf region, and you won't be able to defend against it,’” he said.
Describing Iran’s military assets, Rubio said, “You get these swarms of drones, these swarms of rockets. They were on the verge, in a year from now, they would have been, at that point, the president said, that’s an intolerable risk.”
Rubio outlined how people are “struggling to make that connection” but said it was a very real one.
“They were building such a high number; they were going to have so many drones and missiles that no one could attack Iran,” Rubio added.
“The result would be catastrophic for the region, and once they had that immunity, then they would break out toward a weapon. We knew that the president was not going to allow that to happen,” he said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington would be making its case to Beijing and set out why it was in China’s best interest to help end the war in Iran.
“We've made the argument to the Chinese, and I hope it's compelling, and they'll have a chance to do something about it at the United Nations later this week, when there's a resolution condemning Iran for what it is doing in the straits,” he told Sean Hannity aboard Air Force One en route to China.
The conflict, he said, was a “huge source of instability” for China.
“It threatens to destabilize Asia more than any other part of the world because it is heavily reliant on the straits for energy,” he said.
“Of all the countries in the world, economies are melting down because of this crisis in the straits,” Rubio warned, before highlighting that people are going to be buying less Chinese products and that Chinese exports are going to drop “precipitously.”
“It’s in their interest to resolve this. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what it is doing now and trying to do in the Persian Gulf,” he said.
{{#rendered}}Oil prices rose Thursday as investors looked ahead to a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, while also keeping a close eye on developments in the war involving Iran.
Reuters reported Brent crude futures rose 13 cents, or 0.12%, to $105.76 per barrel as of 12:15 a.m. GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures also gained 12 cents, or 0.12%, to $101.14 per barrel.
Brent crude had dropped by more than $2 per barrel Wednesday, while WTI fell by more than $1.
Yemen’s Houthi movement warned Wednesday that any new U.S. strike on Iran could spark a wider conflict across the Middle East with consequences for everyone involved, according to reports.
Abdulwahid Abu Ras, the group’s acting foreign minister, delivered the message to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to the Houthi-run SABA news agency.
Abu Ras said attacks on Iran could destabilize not only the Middle East but also global economic and energy systems, emphasizing far-reaching repercussions.
He said continued aggression against Iran could pull both the region and the wider world into a war with widespread consequences.
In March, the Houthis joined the Iran war by carrying out missile and drone strikes on Israel in support for Tehran.
The United Arab Emirates denied reports circulating Wednesday regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE.
"The United Arab Emirates denies reports circulating regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE, or receiving any Israeli military delegation in the country," the UAE Foreign Ministry said in a statement shared on X.
The ministry also said any claims regarding unannounced visits are 'baseless'.
Netanyahu’s office claimed he had secretly visited the UAE and met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, adding the trip had led to a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and the UAE.
{{#rendered}}U.S. Navy sailors carried out maintenance on helicopters aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday.
“U.S. sailors perform routine maintenance on MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters in the hangar bay of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), May 9,” the command said in a post shared on X.
The strike group was deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Wednesday against nations cooperating with Israel against Tehran, saying those who do so will face consequences.
Appearing to be responding to news of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Emirates, he said:
“Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran's security services long ago conveyed to our leadership,” Araghchi wrote on X.
“Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble. Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable,” he added.
Araghchi also warned that “those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account.”
Netanyahu’s office said he met secretly with Al Nahyan during the war.
“This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” the office said on X.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz condemned Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, pointing to growing support for a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding that it stop mining the waterway and imposing tolls.
“Iran is ISOLATED in its illegal actions to mine international waters and charge tolls,” Waltz said in a post shared on X.
“See the list of 113 co-sponsors of the U.N. Security Council resolution — including India, Japan, and South Korea — demanding Iran STOP its illegal and unacceptable behavior,” he added.
{{#rendered}}Two drones struck an Iranian opposition camp north of Iraq’s Erbil on Wednesday, according to reports.
Citing security sources, Reuters reported that an arms and ammunition depot inside the camp had been targeted. There were no reports of fatalities
Two Hamas operatives, including a commander involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, were killed Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
“ELIMINATED: Hamza Sharabasi, a commander in Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion in northern Gaza,” the IDF said in a post shared on X.
The military said Sharabasi had infiltrated Israeli territory on Oct. 7 and took part in the assault on the Nahal Oz outpost, where Israeli soldiers were killed.
"Recently, he was involved in advancing attacks against IDF troops operating near the Yellow Line," the IDF confirmed.
The IDF also said that Azzam al-Hayya who held a leading role in the organization, was killed.
Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Washington was making careful progress in diplomatic efforts over the conflict with Iran, emphasizing a coordinated approach with regional allies.
“Obviously, these negotiations are very sensitive,” Vance said at the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Explaining that Washington was “trying to have a productive conversation,” Vance said that he had participated in a call with Jared Kushner and Steve Wycoff, as well as “a number of our friends in the Arab world this morning.”
Vance reiterated that the goal was to prevent a “very dangerous regime having access to the most dangerous weapons in the world.”
“That's the goal that we're focused on. Again, there's a lot of ways to accomplish that goal,” Vance said.
“The president has set us off on the diplomatic pathway for now, and that's what I'm focused on,” he added.
{{#rendered}}The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See said Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV did not grant any exclusive honor to Iran’s ambassador to the Vatican.
The statement followed reports claiming that Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari had been named a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX.
“Contrary to news reports, Pope Leo has not bestowed a special honor on the Iranian ambassador,” the embassy said in a post shared on X.
“This decoration is routinely given to accredited ambassadors to the Holy See after more than two years of service and has been standard practice for many years.”
The embassy added that the award is a personal recognition and “does not imply support or opposition to any policy or country.”
It also noted that 13 ambassadors recently received the same honor and that previous U.S. ambassadors have received it as well.
“Finally, the decoration was not given in person by the pope,” the statement said.
Iran’s Press TV had described the order as one of the Vatican’s most distinguished knighthoods, typically awarded to ambassadors and prominent figures for strengthening diplomatic ties and promoting dialogue, according to Mehr News Agency.
Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Wednesday that Tehran’s claim over the Strait of Hormuz was no longer open to debate.
“Our right to the Strait of Hormuz is established, and the matter is closed,” Aref said, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Al Jazeera reported.
Aref also said that Iran’s previous planning had focused on sanctions and pressure from adversaries, but that policymakers must now concentrate on “the security and well-being of our country and the region.”
This came as diplomatic efforts for a peace deal appeared to have stalled. President Donald Trump said May 11 that Iran's latest peace proposal was "unacceptable."
The U.S. blockade on Iranian ports also continued Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and secured what officials call a historic breakthrough in relations between the two countries.
Netanyahu made the covert trip during the height of Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion, according to the prime minister’s office.
“This visit led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” the office said.
No further details were immediately provided.
The growing relationship was highlighted publicly for the first time earlier this week when the U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israel has sent Iron Dome air-defense weapons and personnel to operate them to the UAE.
The UAE diplomatically recognized Israel in 2020. That drew criticism from Iran, long Israel’s main regional enemy. Iran didn’t immediately respond to Huckabee’s remarks, though it has repeatedly suggested over the years that Israel maintained a military and intelligence presence in the Emirates.
Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
{{#rendered}}U.S. forces fired small-arms warning shots earlier this week to enforce the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and ensure that two commercial vessels trying to leave the waterway turned around, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday.
The command shared the update about the U.S. naval blockade against ships entering and exiting Iran’s ports, which began on April 13, in a post on X.
“As of today, American forces have redirected 67 commercial vessels, allowed 15 supporting humanitarian aid to pass, and disabled 4 to ensure compliance,” CENTCOM said.
The command also highlighted how it enforced the blockade when two commercial vessels tried to leave Iran’s ports earlier this week.
U.S. forces “ensured that 2 commercial vessels turned around to comply with the blockade after communicating via radio and firing warning shots from small arms, clearly demonstrating that U.S. enforcement remains in full effect,” it said.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighter jet was patrolling over regional waters near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
The F-35A is a 5th-generation stealth fighter. The aircraft can carry up to 18,000 pounds of ordnance while still flying at supersonic speeds, the command said.
CENTCOM made the announcement in a post on X as Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz is throttling the world’s energy supplies and inflicting economic pain across the globe.
An American naval blockade of the waterway began on April 13, leaving tankers filled with oil unable to get out of the strait.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran is on "massive life support," as retired U.S. commanders and national security experts are increasingly split whether Washington should resume military operations against Tehran or avoid what critics warn could become another prolonged Middle East conflict.
"I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support," Trump told reporters Monday. "Where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living.’"
Trump also dismissed Iran’s latest response to a proposed agreement as "a piece of garbage," amid reports the White House is reviewing military options should negotiations collapse.
Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former national security adviser under Trump, said he believes Iran’s leadership is unlikely to make the concessions Trump considers necessary for a deal.
"I think the Iranian leadership and IRGC are unwilling to make the kind of concessions that President Trump thinks are at the minimum," McMaster told Fox News Digital, referring to Iran's hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"President Trump always wants a deal," he added. "But he's not going to sign up for a bad deal."
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News Digital's Efrat Lachter.
{{#rendered}}Iran said Tuesday a suspected oil spill near its main export hub at Kharg Island was likely caused by a foreign tanker dumping contaminated ballast water, not a leak from its own facilities.
Satellite images from May 6–8 showed a grey-and-white slick stretching across dozens of square kilometers west of the island, a key oil hub in the Gulf.
Vice President and environmental chief Shina Ansari said monitoring found “no oil leaks… from pipelines or oil facilities,” and blamed a “non-Iranian tanker” for the discharge, according to state media.
Iran’s Oil Terminals Company also said inspections found no signs of leaks from storage tanks, pipelines or nearby tankers.
Analysts reviewing the imagery said the slick appears to be oil and could be one of the largest seen since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, Reuters reported.
Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told House lawmakers on Tuesday that the U.S. war against Iran is now estimated to have cost around $29 billion dollars.
"The joint staff team of the comptroller team are constantly looking at that estimate. And so now we think it's closer to 29," Hurst said, noting an increase from an estimate of $25 billion he disclosed in late April.
Pentagon officials told Congress that roughly $24 billion is related to replacing munitions and repairing equipment but also includes operational costs to keep forces deployed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions during the hearing from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration's end game for the Iran war, the conflict's rising cost and its impact on diminishing U.S. weapons stockpiles.
Hegseth said President Donald Trump's 2027 budget request for the Department of War “reflects the urgency of the moment, addressing both the deferred maintenance of long-standing problems as well as positioning our forces for current and future fights.”
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Coverage for this event has ended.