Iran war deadlock: Hormuz Strait standoff, attacks continue despite ceasefire

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]doing very well with regard to Iran.

[00:00:02]>> Over the weekend, negotiations to end the war between the United States and Iran continue with no clear sign of progress. According to President Trump, >> they want to make a deal. They're decimated. If we left right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild, but we're not leaving right now. We're going to do it so nobody has to go back in 2 years or 5 years.

[00:00:23]>> Instead, the US is launching a new operation at the Straight of Hormuz dubbed Project Freedom. The goal is to restore free navigation for commercial shipping through the critical oil passageway. On social media, President Trump writing, "The ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong. They are victims of circumstance." US Central Command says the initiative will involve guided missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft, and 15,000 service members.

[00:00:55]Iran says it's a ceasefire violation, but President Trump is warning any interference will be dealt with forcefully. In a major development in the region today, Iran launched two missile attacks against the United Arab Emirates with the UAE later stating four loitering munitions coming from Iran towards the country were detected where three missiles were successfully intercepted over the country's territorial waters and the last one fell into the sea. SenCom is stating that American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping and as a first step, two US flag merchant vessels have successfully transited through the straight of Hermuz and are safely headed on their journey. Pakistan's foreign office says the United States has facilitated the transfer of 22 crew members from a seized Iranian vessel to Pakistan in order describes as a confidencebuilding step with the sailors expected to return to Iran. Iran has presented the White House with a new proposal. But they say the clock is not indefinite, giving the Pentagon a deadline for the US naval blockade, though not publishing it publicly, but also saying that they believe they have the United States in a tight position.

[00:02:08]The White House believes that they have the leverage here with the president saying the latest proposal that he has seen from Iran is not one at his juncture that is suitable to what the White House is looking for. When asked what his next steps might be, this is what he said.

[00:02:24]>> Would you please start military strike on target?

[00:02:26]>> Well, I don't want to say that. I mean, I can't tell that to a reporter if they uh misbehave, if they do something bad, but uh right now, we'll see. But, you know, it's it's a possibility that could happen. Certainly.

[00:02:40]>> US military is denying that a vessel was struck by two Iranian missiles in the straight of Hormuz this morning. This counters reporting from the Iranian state media that a US warship was hit.

[00:02:51]Coming after President Trump unveiled a new strategy dubbed Project Freedom. The president posting to True Social on Sunday. Countries from all over the world, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle East dispute.

[00:03:01]Going on so visibly and violently for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their ships, which are locked up in the straight of Hormuz. We have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways so that they can freely and abley get on with their business. Trump also went on to warn Iran that it would be deadly. It would be dealt with quote forcefully if it interfered in this process.

[00:03:24]>> President Trump continues uh to, you know, he he stays on this message that Iran's leadership is in disarray. Uh he's now casting doubt on this uh current 14point peace proposal from Iran. Iran hit a tanker belonging to the United Arab Emirates and the US says it sank several Iranian fast boats attacking commercial vessels. Meanwhile, President Trump's new project freedom enabled two US flagged ships to safely make it through the straight.

[00:03:51]>> While the Navy helped two US flagged ships through the straight since the initiative began yesterday morning, they didn't make it through without incident.

[00:03:58]Iran reportedly fired cruise missiles at Navy ships and drones at commercial vessels to maintain its hold on the straight. SenCom says none of the navies or the commercial ships were hit despite some rumors. SenCom also said US forces eliminated six of Iran's small boats.

[00:04:14]Defense Secretary Pete Hegsth said the ceasefire was not over. Here he was this morning. Sentcom along with partner nations is in active communication with hundreds of ships, shipping companies, and insurers. All of these ships from all around the world want to get out of the Iranian trap that they have been stuck inside.

[00:04:36]Now, as for Iran, they have denied that any ships made it through the straight unscathed and issued a warning that quote, "Any other maritime activity that contradicts the declared principles of the IRGC Navy will face serious risks in violating vessels will be stopped by force." Two US commercial ships along with American destroyers have already safely transited the straight showing the lane is clear. We know the Iranians are embarrassed by this fact. Uh they said they control the straight. They do not. So American ships led the way commercial and military shouldering shouldering the initial risk from the front as Americans always do. And right now, hundreds more ships from nations around the world are lining up to transit.

[00:05:23]>> So look, the time's come for Iran to make a sensible choice. And it's not easy for them to do that obviously because they have a fracture in their own leadership system. And apart from that, I mean, the top people in that government are to say the least um you know um they're insane in the brain.

[00:05:39]This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation. And what that means is very simple. There's no shooting unless we're shot at first.

[00:05:46]After 2 days, the US effort to guide ships through a critical oil passageway where Iran has restricted traffic is on pause.

[00:05:55]>> Under no circumstances can we ever allow them to normalize the fact that they get to blow up commercial ships and put mines in the water. On Truth Social, the president announcing that based on the request of mediator Pakistan and other countries, writing the pause is quote for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be finalized and signed. The sticking point for negotiations remains Iran's nuclear capabilities.

[00:06:21]>> What do you think they would do if they had a nuclear weapon? They would hold the world hostage with that nuclear weapon. That's what they would do. They would do exactly to the world with a nuclear weapon what they're doing now with the Straits. But congressional Democrats remain skeptical of everything the administration says.

[00:06:36]>> We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it's very possible that we'll make a deal.

[00:06:42]>> President Trump has signaled that the Iran war could soon end and commercial traffic could resume in the straight of Hormuz.

[00:06:48]>> Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won't and they've agreed to that.

[00:06:53]>> Uh they've fired at US ships several times in the last 24 hours. What do they need to do to violate the ceasefire?

[00:07:03]>> Well, you'll find out because I'll let you know. They know what to do and they know what to do. They know what not to do. More importantly, actually, >> he says he believes the US blockade of Iranian ports has been effective toward getting the straight reopened.

[00:07:16]>> It's like a wall of steel. Nobody goes through. In particular, the Iranians are not getting anything through one way or the other. President Trump announced a pause Tuesday night to military escorts for commercial ships through the straight of Hormuz. He said the pause came at the request of Pakistan and other countries.

[00:07:33]>> We would prefer the path of peace. What the president would prefer is a deal. He would prefer to sit down, work out a memorandum of understanding for future negotiations. Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is perhaps a big assumption, the already the already legendary epic fury will be at an end and the highly effective blockade will allow the Hormoo Strait to be open to all, including Iran. But he continued with warning, "If they don't agree, the bombing starts and it will be sadly at a much higher level and intensity than it was before."

[00:08:05]>> A major step forward in the US and Iran conflict. Sources familiar with the talks confirmed to NewsNation that Washington and Tehran are nearing an agreement on a one-page memorandum to end the conflict and create the framework for nuclear negotiations.

[00:08:20]>> We're dealing with people that want to make a deal very much and we'll see whether or not they can make a deal that's satisfactory to us. We have it very much under control. The blockade is unbelievable.

[00:08:31]>> So, the White House says the latest strikes in Iran are not a violation of the ceasefire. President Trump posting this on True Social tonight, saying, quote, "Three worldclass American destroyers just transited very successfully out of the straight of Hermoose under fire. There was no damage done to the three destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers."

[00:08:53]Trump warning, quote, "Just like we knock them out again today, will knock them out a lot harder and a lot more violently in the future if they don't get their deal signed fast." US Central Command said the strikes were done in self-defense after they say US forces intercepted what they called unprovoked Iranian attacks. SenCom said Iranian forces launched multiple missiles and drones on US vessels transiting the strait. In response, SenCom said it eliminated inbound threats and targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces. This all comes after President Trump paused Project Freedom in hopes of reaching a deal with Iran on a one-page memorandum to end the war. Iran said it is reviewing the US proposal. Now, Iran is calling the US strikes a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, so it's unclear where that leaves peace talks at this time.

[00:09:48]>> Missiles were shot at our destroyers and were easily knocked down. Likewise, drones came and were incinerated while in the air. They dropped ever so beautifully down to the ocean. M very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave.

[00:10:02]>> They were firing at us and we were firing back at them.

[00:10:05]>> As three US warships transited the street of Hormuz Thursday, the US military says forces intercepted Iranian attacks and struck back in self-defense.

[00:10:16]>> They got blown away in about 2 minutes.

[00:10:18]>> The attacks took place as the US is awaiting Iran's response to the latest proposal to end the war. It's an offer that's basically said they will not have nuclear weapons. They're going to hand us the nuclear dust and many other things that we want. When they agree, it doesn't mean much cuz the next day they forget they forgot they agreed.

[00:10:37]>> President Trump continues threatening to attack if the Islamic Republic doesn't sign on.

[00:10:43]>> The talks are going very well, but they have to understand if it doesn't get signed, they're going to have a lot of pain. and congressional Democrats remain critical of the administration's efforts.

[00:10:54]>> The same Iranian regime is in charge and their enriched uranium is still in their possession.

[00:11:02]The straight of Hormuz is now closed and Americans are suffering with skyrocketing gas prices. Despite the ceasefire, another US military action in the Gulf of Aman with US Navy ships stopping Iranian vessels from crossing the straight of Hermuz. Sankham says a US Navy FA18 Super Hornet from the USS George HW Bush disabled two Iranian flag tankers, the Sea Star 3 and SEDA after firing precision munitions into the smoke stacks to stop them from entering Iran. Iran retaliating with two ballistic missiles and three drones fired at the United Arab Emirates, the third time this week, injuring three people. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the White House expects an answer soon on the latest agreement proposal sent to Iran, adding he hopes it's a serious offer. President Donald Trump says the ceasefire is still holding, but the Iranians, as usual, with a different message coming from Foreign Minister Abasari, calling the strikes a reckless military adventure.