All news: Monday 4 May 2026

Operation Project Freedom

The U.S. Central Command says that two US-flagged merchant vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, the first vessels to cross the waterway since the start of Project Freedom. Additionally, CENTCOM also says that U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers transited through the waterway.

2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign

Iranian media report that the Iranian navy struck a U.S. Navy warship with two missiles, after it ignored warnings off the coast of Jask. United States Central Command denies the claim that a ship was hit.

2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign

A fire and explosion is reported on an anchored HMM vessel in the Strait of Hormuz near the United Arab Emirates. No casualties were reported.

2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign

A vessel belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is attacked by two drones in the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported.

2026 United States naval blockade of Iran

The Pakistani foreign ministry says that the U.S. has evacuated 22 crew members on the Touska and will hand them to Iranian authorities.

2026 United States naval blockade of Iran

The IRNA confirms that the 22 sailors returned home to Iran at a border terminal in Sistan-Baluchistan.

2026 Iran war ceasefire

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar hold a phone call to discuss Pakistan's efforts to revive ceasefire talks between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war.

2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates reports that it has intercepted three missiles from Iran, with the 4th one falling into the sea. This is the first report of missile interceptions since the ceasefire began on April 7.

2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates

A strike on an energy facility in the Fujairah emirate injures three Indian nationals.

Sudanese civil war

Rapid Support Forces launch drone attacks at several targets in Khartoum, Sudan, including the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan. Drone strikes are also reported at the Signal Corps in Khartoum Bahri and Al-Markhiyat camp in northern Omdurman.

Sudanese civil war

The Sudan Army's air defenses intercept drone strikes at the airport.

2026 Liuyang fireworks factory explosion

At least 26 people are killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan, China.

Eight people are killed in a road accident in Dandong, Liaoning, China.

Seven people are killed and 13 others critically injured after a bus collided head-on with a trailer in Northern Uganda.

Three people are killed and 14 others are injured in a fire at a six-story apartment building in Manhattan, New York, United States.

At least two people are killed and three others are injured when an Embraer EMB-721 crashes into a residential building in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Two people are killed after a fire swept through a residential area in San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines.

Austria and Russian intelligence

Austria expels three Russian diplomats over suspected espionage activities involving data interception from the Russian embassy and a diplomatic mission in Vienna.

Australia–Japan relations

Australia and Japan sign agreements on energy and critical minerals.

European integration

The 8th European Political Community Summit is held in Yerevan, Armenia, with leaders from nearly 50 countries participating.

Indonesia–Japan relations

Indonesia and Japan signs a defense agreement including cooperation in defense industry and personnel training amid the lifting of Japan's arms export ban.

Nigeria–South Africa relations

Nigeria announces plans for the voluntary repatriation of its citizens from South Africa following reported attacks and safety concerns affecting foreign nationals.

Economic impact of the 2026 Iran war

The Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, reports a 66% drop in passenger traffic in March 2026 amidst a disruption of air traffic in the Middle East due to the Iran war.

2026 Leipzig car incident

Two people are killed and 22 others are injured, including two seriously, after a car was driven into a crowd of people in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. The perpetrator is arrested and the incident is being investigated.

2026 Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize winners for 2026 are announced, recognizing excellence in journalism, books, drama, and music.