Monday Afternoon News Updates: War Back ON?! — 5/4/26

Hi all, Ben here. It’s Monday, May 4th. Tensions are escalating by the second in the Middle East, so let’s get right into it. Here are the latest updates you need to know. First, the headlines:

• Iran strikes UAE port of Fujairah and two commercial vessels

• South Korean vessel hit in the Strait of Hormuz engine room; crew safe

• UAE air defenses intercepting Iranian cruise missiles; residents receiving shelter-in-place alerts

• CENTCOM confirms Iran fired on U.S. warships after initial denials; U.S. reportedly destroys six Iranian small boats

• Scott Bessent on Fox News claiming the U.S. has “absolute control” of the Strait of Hormuz (that aged like milk in the hot sun)

• CNN reports U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets expected within 24 hours

• Supreme Court temporarily restores access to abortion pill mifepristone via telehealth

• Rudy Giuliani reportedly in ICU on a ventilator in critical condition

• Obama to The New Yorker: Netanyahu pitched me the same war with Iran he later sold to Trump

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Now let’s dive into the details.