Donald Trump threatens Iran with ‘higher level’ bombing if it doesn't reopen Strait of Hormuz – The Hindu
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May 6, 2026e-Paper
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May 6, 2026e-Paper
Updated – May 06, 2026 10:19 pm IST – Washington
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social platform that the war with Iran could soon end. File | Photo Credit: AP
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) paused “Project Freedom”, launched earlier in the week and aimed at guiding stranded merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” in talks with Tehran. He added that the war could end if Iran signed a deal, warning that the U.S. would resume bombing if it did not.
When Mr. Trump announced the operation on Monday (May 4, 2026), he said any Iranian response would be dealt with “forcefully”. Iran claimed that it fired at two U.S. destroyers in the strait and pushed them back. The UAE said it was attacked twice by missiles and drones and one of its tankers came under fire. Then came Mr. Trump’s pause.
Iran-Israel war LIVE updates – May 6
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other countries…, and… the fact that great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the agreement can be finalised and signed,” Mr. Trump wrote in a social media pos
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Mr. Trump’s announcement, saying it advanced “regional peace, stability and reconciliation”. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Washington and Tehran had exchanged proposals in recent days. In an interview, Esmail Baqaei, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said Tehran was currently reviewing the American response to its proposal and would present its response through Pakistani mediators.
Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel started attacking the country on February 28. Active fighting came to an end on April 8, when Mr. Trump announced a ceasefire. But on April 12, the U.S. imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, heaping economic pressure on the country.
In a separate post on Wednesday, Mr. Trump said the war could come to an end and the Strait of Hormuz would be opened for all if Iran accepted a deal.
“Assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption, the Epic Fury will be at an end, and the highly effective Blockade will allow the Hormuz Strait to be OPEN TO ALL, including Iran,” Mr. Trump said. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” he added.
In April first week, Mr. Trump had threatened to bomb Iran’s civilian infrastructure if Tehran did not reopen the Strait. He then took a U-turn and announced the ceasefire on April 8.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday transit through the strait would become safe as the security situation in the Persian Gulf improves “with the aggressor’s threats neutralised”.
“We thank captains & shipowners in the Persian Gulf & Gulf of Oman for complying with Iran’s Strait of Hormuz regulations & contributing to regional maritime security. With the aggressor’s threats neutralized & new protocols in place, safe, stable passage through SOH will be ensured,” the IRGC Navy said in a social media post.
Iran’s state media reported on Wednesday that the country had officially launched a new mechanism to govern maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. “Under the newly implemented system, all vessels intending to transit the Strait will receive an email from the official address info@PGSA.ir outlining the rules and regulations for passage,” according to a report by Press TV.
Ships are required to obtain a transit permit before crossing the strait, it said.
A draft law now advancing in Iran’s Parliament would impose a total ban on any ships associated with Israel, while vessels linked to the U.S. and “other hostile countries” would face restrictions, it added. “The legislation also establishes a tolling system for the passage of non-hostile vessels.”
Published – May 06, 2026 06:05 pm IST
World / Israel-US strikes on Iran / Iran / Donald Trump / USA
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