LONDON, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz should continue to exercise maximum caution, following reports of a U.S. operation to guide stranded ships out of the area.In a written response to Xinhua, an IMO spokesperson said: We are aware of the reports but do not have further details. We continue to urge ships to practice maximum caution in the area.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States would begin a transit facilitation operation on Monday to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.In response, Iranian military command warned on Monday that any foreign armed forces, particularly the United States, would be attacked if they attempt to approach or enter the strait.The UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed on Monday that the United States has established an enhanced security area south of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Strait of Hormuz to support vessel transits.However, it warned that the maritime security threat level in the area remains critical due to ongoing regional military activity.

US official denies a US ship was hit by Iranian missiles: Axios reporter post on X

TEHRAN, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Two missiles struck a U.S. Navy frigate in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after it ignored a warning from Iran's navy, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.The vessel had been sailing near the port of Jask in what Iran described as a violation of maritime security rules, the report said. It added that the frigate was unable to continue its course after the strikes and was forced to withdraw from the area.There was no immediate comment from U.S. officials.

ISLAMABAD, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members who had been held aboard a container ship seized by the United States last month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.The move was undertaken as a confidence-building measure by the United States, under which the crew members from the Iranian vessel MV Touska were evacuated and flown to Pakistan overnight, the ministry said in a statement.The individuals will be handed over to Iranian authorities later on Monday, the statement said.It added that the vessel will also be transported to Pakistani territorial waters and returned to its original owners after undergoing necessary repairs.The process is being coordinated with the support of both Iranian and U.S. sides, the ministry said.Pakistan welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step, and reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating dialogue and diplomacy while continuing mediation efforts for regional peace and security.

DHAKA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's exports surged to over 4 billion U.S. dollars in April, an almost 33 percent jump from the same month last year.The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data posted on its website on Monday showed that Bangladesh's total exports in the first 10 months of the current 2025-26 fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026) reached 39.40 billion dollars, down 2.02 percent year-on-year.The overall export slowdown was primarily driven by a poor performance in the vital garment industry.Bangladesh earned 31.72 billion dollars from exports of the ready-made garment in the July-April period, compared to 32.64 billion dollars a year earlier.Bangladesh has set its export target in the 2025-26 fiscal year at 55 billion dollars, including nearly 45 billion dollars from ready-made garment products.

TEHRAN, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Monday warned the U.S. army against entering the Strait of Hormuz.We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive U.S. army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz, said Iran's main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, in a statement.The warning came after the United States announced it would start on Monday to free ships stranded in the waterway.We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces, the Iranian army said.