[U.S. Forces Immediately Crush Iranian Provocations with Overwhelming Firepower]

On May 4 (local time), the day the United States launched "Project Freedom" to lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, naval forces under the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) began taking strong military measures to secure maritime transit rights by sinking six Iranian small fast attack crafts that were threatening merchant ships in the Strait. This military action took place immediately after President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, stating they would "vanish from the face of the earth" if they obstructed the opening of the sea lanes. Amidst these events, a tragedy occurred where a South Korean vessel anchored in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz was also attacked by Iran.

The New York Post reported on the 4th (local time) that "As the U.S. sank six Iranian small vessels, President Trump warned that the Iranian regime 'could vanish from the face of the earth,'" and noted that "Admiral Brad Cooper of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a press conference that unlike the '20 to 40' small vessels Iran typically deploys to threaten merchant ships, only six appeared today, and they were immediately eliminated."

Admiral Cooper emphasized, "Powerful forces, including AH-64 Apache and MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, are heavily deployed throughout the Strait area," and stressed that "Iran's military power has been significantly weakened." The sinking of the Iranian small vessels by U.S. forces occurred less than a day after President Donald Trump declared the start of Project Freedom, and tensions in the Strait quickly escalated to a state just short of an all-out collision.

[“If You Interfere, I Will Blow You Off the Earth”... Trump’s Ultra-Hardline Warning]

In the midst of this, President Trump directly warned in an interview with Fox News, "If Iran launches an attack on a U.S.-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, I will blow them off the face of the earth." Iran had previously defined the U.S. involvement in the new maritime order of the Strait as a violation of the ceasefire agreement reached last month, maintaining the position that all vessels passing through the Strait must receive prior approval from Tehran. Undeterred, President Trump declared, "We possess much more powerful weapons and ammunition than before. Our bases around the world are filled with equipment, and we will utilize it all if necessary."

In particular, President Trump’s remarks came immediately after the Iranian state media, Fars News, reported that "When a U.S. Navy frigate operating near Jask in southeastern Iran attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in violation of navigation regulations, the Iranian military launched a missile attack, and as further navigation became impossible, the vessel turned around and retreated toward the Gulf of Oman." This emphasized that the report of an Iranian attack on a U.S. ship was a complete lie, and that if such an event were to occur, the U.S. military would have no choice but to launch an 'Operation of Fury.'

['Project Freedom' Launched... Hundreds of Ships from 87 Nations Stranded]

Project Freedom is a military operation conceived by President Trump to support the escape of ships that have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for months after the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz following the start of the U.S.-Israeli 'Operation Epic Fury' on February 28. According to the U.S. Central Command, hundreds of vessels from 87 countries are currently trapped inside the Persian Gulf, and the U.S. military is conveying its intent to support safe passage for neutral vessels as well.

The operation involves guided-missile destroyers, 15,000 troops, over 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, various ships, and drones. The official announcement from U.S. Central Command stated that two U.S.-flagged merchant ships successfully passed through the Strait on this day. However, the IRGC completely denied the U.S. claims, stating that "no merchant ships have passed through."

Admiral Cooper avoided a clear answer when asked if the sinking of the small vessels and the Iranian claims of attacking a U.S. warship meant the collapse of last month’s ceasefire. However, he emphasized, "We are performing a purely defensive role and are here to provide a thick shield of defense so that merchant ships can safely exit the Persian Gulf."

[Explosion and Fire on HMM NAMU... Emergency for South Korean Vessel Safety]

The shock of the first day of the operation reached South Korea directly. On the day the U.S. launched Project Freedom, an explosion and fire occurred on the 'NAMU,' an HMM multipurpose carrier anchored in waters outside the port limits of Umm Al Quwain, UAE, inside the Strait of Hormuz. A total of 24 people, including 6 South Korean crew members, were on board the Panama-flagged vessel, and it has been determined that there were no casualties.

An HMM official stated, "The crew members of the vessel reported hearing an explosion from the port side of the engine room," and added, "They then became aware of the fire and are currently in the process of extinguishing it." The official also noted, "The crew members themselves do not know whether there was an attack from the outside." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We are confirming the cause of the explosion and fire as well as the specific status of the damage," and "We will take necessary measures for the safety of our ships and crew in the Strait of Hormuz while communicating closely with relevant countries."

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, there are currently a total of 26 South Korean-flagged vessels staying inside the Strait of Hormuz, including 9 oil tankers and car carriers. There are 123 South Korean crew members on board, and when including 37 South Koreans on foreign-flagged vessels, the total number of South Korean crew members staying in the Strait area reaches 160.

In relation to this, President Trump pressured South Korea via Truth Social, saying, "South Korea has as many as 26 ships trapped. It is time for Korea to join this operation!" He further highlighted the success of the operation by adding, "Except for the South Korean vessel, there has been no damage during the transit of the Strait at this point."

[UAE: “Iranian Attack is Terrorism, We Reserve the Right to Respond”... Hinting at Retaliatory Measures]

The damage was not limited to South Korean vessels. Abu Dhabi authorities confirmed that an oil tanker belonging to the UAE state-owned oil company (ADNOC) also caught fire after being attacked by an Iranian drone while attempting to pass through the Strait. Furthermore, the IRGC released a new control map that significantly expanded the control range of the Strait of Hormuz to include parts of UAE territorial waters and the area near the port of Fujairah. This effectively signaled that Iran intends to expand its sphere of influence to the entire Gulf.

In response, the UAE government defined the series of Iranian attacks targeting civilian and infrastructure facilities within its territory as acts of terrorism and declared that it would exercise its right to respond using all available means.

The UAE state news agency (WAM) reported, "The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs released an official statement on the 4th (local time) strongly condemning the series of strikes carried out by Iran using missiles and drones," and "The diplomatic authorities defined this incident not as a mere military action but as a dangerous escalation and a clear, unacceptable violation of sovereignty." In the statement released that day, the UAE made it clear that this provocation is a serious matter directly threatening the nation’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.

The UAE government expressed its firm resolve not to overlook any form of violation that undermines its national security. Notably, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it "possesses the full and legitimate legal right to respond to these attacks by Iran," strongly hinting that retaliatory measures may follow. This is interpreted as a public declaration that they will not stand by idly regarding Iran's armed provocations and will make them pay a corresponding price in terms of the right to self-defense.

This incident occurred at a time when regional tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz have reached a peak, raising concerns in the international community. The UAE pointed out that Iran's method of targeting civilian facilities is inhumane and maintained its position to seek all measures to protect the country and its people based on international law. This announcement, coming immediately after the Iranian attack, is expected to act as a key variable increasing the possibility of military conflict in the Middle East.

[Focus on Whether Strong Military Retaliation Will Follow as Trump Warned]

The U.S. military's sinking of six Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz is an event that goes beyond simply securing maritime corridors; it reaffirms the Trump administration's principle of 'Peace through Strength'—punishing the provocations of rogue nations with overwhelming force.

The U.S. move to protect the principle of freedom of navigation through 'Project Freedom' is a perfectly legitimate measure. In particular, President Trump's warning, using the extreme expression "will vanish from the earth," is read as an expression of his will to firmly stifle the Iranian regime, which continues to engage in state-sponsored terrorism and maritime provocations even after the termination of the nuclear deal.

A noteworthy point in this operation is the analysis by the U.S. Central Command that Iran's response capabilities have significantly decreased compared to the past. This shows that strong economic sanctions and continuous military pressure are substantially eating away at Iran's internal capacity to wage war. It is a reminder of the cold reality of international politics: that dictatorial regimes only bow their heads in the face of strong power.

Specifically, the explosion incident of the 'HMM NAMU,' a South Korea-related vessel that occurred during this situation, carries great significance for us. This attack, strongly suspected to be the work of Iran, vividly demonstrated how vulnerable South Korea's energy security is.

While some advocate for caution, fearing a deterioration of relations with Iran, this is a dangerous idea that relies on the enemy's goodwill. In the international community, peace is not something to be begged for, but something maintained only when one has the ability to protect oneself. The South Korean government should take this opportunity to further solidify the ROK-U.S. alliance and actively review military support measures for the safety of the Strait of Hormuz.

For the Iranian regime to regain its senses and come to the peace negotiation table, the pressure from the international community, led by the U.S., must become even tighter. Ultimately, this battle in the Strait of Hormuz clearly showed what the international community's standard of response to provocations by rogue states should be. Only uncompromising punishment can deter further provocations, and this will serve as an important lesson in deterring North Korean provocations on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Middle East.

The Republic of Korea must also now move away from being a security free-rider and take action to protect the values of the free world. The flames of the 'HMM NAMU' are calling upon us to make a decision before it is too late. Substantive measures to respond to the ally's request and protect the lives and property of our citizens are urgent.