US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on May 5, 2026, that ten civilian sailors have died amid the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. He stated the US is enforcing a defensive blockade of Iranian ports to protect freedom of navigation in the vital oil transit chokepoint, where hundreds of ships are queued. Rubio emphasized the US will only respond if attacked, noting the initial military operation has concluded. This follows reports from the United Arab Emirates of Iranian missile and drone attacks on May 5, despite a described shaky ceasefire. US envoys are pursuing a diplomatic solution that must address Iran's buried nuclear material.