The United States began a mission to "guide" stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, calling on them to transit in waters near Oman through an "enhanced security area" that could include guided-missile destroyers, aircraft and increased troop presence, though details are limited, AP reported on May 4. The same day, Iran reportedly launched attacks on commercial vessels and U.S. military vessels, as well as targeted the United Arab Emirates in a missile and drone attack.

Iran has continued to call for any transit through the Strait of Hormuz to be coordinated with Iranian authorities and has threatened to attack any foreign military force in the strait. A few attacks on commercial vessels have occurred around the Strait of Hormuz over the past few days, including a May 3 projectile attack on a tanker, a May 3 attack by small vessels on a bulk carrier and a May 4 attack on a Korean-flagged cargo ship. On May 4, Iranian state media claimed that two missiles hit a U.S. destroyer, though a senior U.S. official denied it. On May 3, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly rejected the latest Iranian proposal to end the war, as it did not include nuclear negotiations from the outset.