DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tensions erupted in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday as the United States launched “Project Freedom” to guide stranded commercial vessels through the vital waterway, only for conflicting claims of attacks to surface within hours. The UAE accused Iran of drone strikes on an oil tanker, while Iranian media alleged a missile hit on a U.S. warship — a claim swiftly denied by American forces.

U.S. Central Command confirmed two American-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited the strait as part of the operation announced by President Donald Trump. CENTCOM also reported guided-missile destroyers operating in the Gulf after passing through the waterway, emphasizing support for commercial shipping and enforcement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

“No U.S. Navy ships have been struck,” CENTCOM stated on X. “U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”

The operation aims to free dozens of tankers and cargo ships trapped in the Persian Gulf since the recent U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran disrupted transit. Trump described the effort as a “humanitarian” move to assist vessels running low on supplies, deploying significant assets including over 100 aircraft, unmanned platforms and 15,000 personnel.

UAE Condemns Iranian Drone Attack on Tanker

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned what it called an “Iranian terrorist attack” on a tanker linked to state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The vessel was targeted by two Iranian drones while attempting to pass through the strait, according to the UAE Foreign Ministry. No injuries were reported.

Senior UAE official Anwar Gargash described the incident as “an act of maritime piracy.” The attack occurred amid heightened alerts, marking the first missile alert in the UAE since an earlier ceasefire.

UK Maritime Trade Operations separately reported a tanker struck by unknown projectiles about 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah, UAE, with all crew safe. Another cargo ship faced assault by multiple small craft nearby.

Iranian Claims and U.S. Rebuttals

Iranian state media, including Fars news agency, claimed Iranian forces struck a U.S. Navy frigate with two missiles after it ignored warnings near Bandar-e-Jask. Tehran said it forced the warship to turn back and warned any foreign forces entering the strait would be targeted.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters a warning shot was fired. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rejected U.S. assertions that commercial ships crossed the strait, calling them “baseless lies.”

CENTCOM and U.S. officials firmly denied any damage or successful strike on American vessels. The denials came quickly after Iranian reports, underscoring a pattern of competing narratives in the volatile region.

Background on Project Freedom

Trump unveiled the initiative Sunday, pledging U.S. support to reopen the strait, a chokepoint carrying about 20% of global oil trade. Ships have been stranded for weeks due to Iranian threats and the broader conflict, disrupting energy markets and supply chains.

U.S. officials indicated the operation focuses on coordination and guidance rather than direct escorts for every merchant vessel in the initial phase. Destroyers and air assets provide overwatch. The move follows a fragile ceasefire, raising fears of renewed escalation.

Iran views the U.S. action as a violation of the truce and has threatened retaliation. Its military warned commercial vessels against uncoordinated movements.

Global and Economic Implications

The incidents sent oil prices spiking early Monday amid fears of prolonged disruption. Shipping companies expressed caution, with some rerouting vessels around Africa despite higher costs. Insurance rates for Gulf transit have surged.

International reaction was swift. Allies in the Gulf expressed support for freedom of navigation, while calls for de-escalation came from European capitals. The UK and others monitor the situation closely through maritime agencies.

Analysts warn that miscalculations in the narrow strait — just 21 miles wide at its narrowest — could trigger wider conflict. Historical incidents, including 2019 tanker attacks attributed to Iran, highlight the risks.

Regional Context and Ceasefire Fragility

The strait has been a flashpoint since the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iranian nuclear and proxy assets. The ceasefire, reached in early April, appeared to hold tenuously until recent provocations. Project Freedom tests its limits.

Iran maintains it controls access and will defend its waters. The U.S. insists on upholding international norms for open maritime passage. Negotiations continue behind the scenes, with Trump hinting at possible “very positive” outcomes from indirect talks.

For crews on stranded ships, the operation brings hope but also danger. Seafarers have reported dwindling supplies and anxiety over potential attacks.

What’s Next

U.S. forces plan continued operations to guide additional vessels in coming days. CENTCOM has not detailed exact numbers or timelines but stressed a phased approach. Iran’s response could determine whether the first day’s chaos escalates or stabilizes.

Diplomatic efforts intensify as the UN and regional players urge restraint. Markets and militaries worldwide watch closely, aware that events in the Strait of Hormuz ripple across the global economy.

As night fell Monday, reports of further incidents remained unconfirmed. Authorities urged vigilance, while shipping associations advised members to await official clearances before attempting transit.

The chaotic launch of Project Freedom underscores persistent volatility in U.S.-Iran relations and the high stakes for energy security. Whether Monday’s dueling claims lead to diplomacy or deeper confrontation will shape the region’s trajectory in the weeks ahead.

Ask.com, one of the internet’s earliest search engine competitors, has shut down its search business after nearly 30 years, marking the latest contraction in a market dominated by a handful of major players.

Parent company IAC said the move reflects a broader strategic shift away from legacy search operations.

“As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com,” the company said in a notice posted on its website. “After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026.”

GOOGLE CO-FOUNDER RIPS CALIFORNIA BILLIONAIRE TAX: ‘I FLED SOCIALISM’

Ask.com has shut down its search business after nearly 30 years. (Getty Images)

The shutdown underscores how the once-crowded search industry has consolidated over time, leaving smaller or legacy platforms unable to compete at scale.

The Ask Jeeves home page is seen in 2005. (Adam Berry/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The message thanks users and employees and concludes: “Jeeves’ spirit endures.”

Ask.com was founded in 1996 and launched in 1997 as Ask Jeeves, featuring a butler mascot and a question-based search format that allowed users to enter queries in plain language.

IAC acquired the company in 2005, and it was rebranded as Ask.com in 2006 as part of an effort to broaden its appeal.

An image of the Ask.com website. (Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The company stopped developing its own search technology around 2010 and later pivoted toward a question-and-answer format as competition intensified.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

Its closure marks the end of one of the web’s early search brands and reflects broader consolidation trends across the technology and digital advertising sectors.

LOS ANGELES — NBC has canceled the medical drama “Brilliant Minds” after two seasons, citing steep year-over-year viewership declines that made the Zachary Quinto-led series the network’s lowest-rated drama on linear television. The decision, announced Friday, marks one of the first cancellations ahead of the network’s 2026-27 upfront presentations and reflects broader challenges in broadcast scripted programming amid shifting audience habits.

“Brilliant Minds,” inspired by the life and work of neurologist Oliver Sacks, follows Dr. Oliver Wolf, an eccentric but brilliant neurologist with a unique perspective on treating complex psychological and neurological cases. The show earned strong critical praise, holding an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, yet struggled to translate acclaim into consistent viewership.

Season 2 averaged just above 3 million viewers with seven days of linear viewing — the smallest total of any NBC drama this season. That figure represented double-digit declines from Season 1, which itself had modest numbers for a post-“The Voice” Monday night slot. In key advertiser demographics, particularly adults 18-49, the series frequently dipped below 0.2 ratings, with some episodes hitting historic lows around 0.10-0.12.

An early sign of trouble came in February 2026 when NBC pulled the series from its regular schedule to accommodate expanded two-hour episodes of “The Voice” following the Winter Olympics. At that point, only 14 of a planned 22 episodes had aired. The remaining six episodes will now burn off during summer starting May 27.

From Promising Start to Steep Decline

When “Brilliant Minds” premiered in September 2024, it showed early promise. The pilot drew solid initial numbers, benefiting from the powerhouse lead-in of “The Voice.” Season 1 averaged around 2.97 million viewers and a 0.23 rating in the 18-49 demo, ranking it among new dramas but still modest by traditional broadcast standards.

Expectations were higher for Season 2 with returning cast familiarity and critical momentum. Yet audiences failed to return in force. Live ratings eroded steadily through fall 2025 and into early 2026. Episodes in January and February frequently drew under 1.5 million same-day viewers, with total audience (including DVR) barely cracking 3 million in many cases.

Industry analysts point to multiple factors. Broadcast dramas face intense competition from streaming platforms, where shorter attention spans and on-demand viewing dominate. “Brilliant Minds” reportedly failed to crack Peacock’s top 10 charts consistently, limiting the streaming boost that often saves marginal network shows.

The series also competed internally against NBC’s stronger procedural franchises like “Chicago Med,” “Law & Order” and “The Hunting Party.” Monday nights, while anchored by “The Voice,” proved challenging for serialized medical storytelling that required viewer commitment week after week.

Critical Acclaim vs. Commercial Reality

Despite the ratings woes, “Brilliant Minds” stood out creatively. Reviewers praised Quinto’s nuanced performance as the neurodivergent Dr. Wolf, the show’s thoughtful exploration of mental health and neurological conditions, and strong supporting work from cast members including Tamberla Perry and Ashleigh LaThrop. Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes hovered around 81%, indicating passionate fans who connected with its empathetic approach to patient stories.

Showrunners and producers aimed for a blend of medical procedural and character-driven drama, drawing from real neurological cases. Episodes tackled everything from phantom limb syndrome to rare cognitive disorders, often weaving in the personal struggles of Wolf and his team of interns. Many viewers and critics lauded the series for humanizing complex conditions without sensationalism.

Yet in today’s television economy, even well-reviewed shows with solid but unspectacular numbers face cancellation. NBC, like other broadcast networks, prioritizes live-linear performance for ad revenue while hoping for streaming longevity. “Brilliant Minds” delivered neither at a level sufficient for renewal.

Broader Context for NBC’s Scripted Slate

The cancellation arrives as NBC evaluates its lineup ahead of upfronts. Alongside “Brilliant Minds,” the network axed freshman comedy “Stumble,” which averaged just 2.24 million viewers. Several other series, including “Law & Order” and “The Hunting Party,” remain on the bubble.

The moves signal a strategic shift. NBC has ordered multiple drama pilots for the coming season, seeking fresh voices and potentially higher-concept projects to combat cord-cutting and audience fragmentation. Medical dramas remain a staple, but networks increasingly favor established IP or star-driven vehicles with proven track records.

For “Brilliant Minds,” the end comes after 27 total episodes across two seasons. Producers have not commented publicly on future plans, though the show’s intellectual property and dedicated fanbase could spark interest in streaming revival talks elsewhere. Quinto, a proven draw with credits ranging from “Star Trek” to Broadway, may find new opportunities quickly.

Fan Reactions and Legacy

Social media erupted with disappointment following the announcement. Fans praised the series for its representation of neurological differences and thoughtful storytelling in an era of formulaic procedurals. Hashtags like #SaveBrilliantMinds and #RenewBrilliantMinds briefly trended, with calls for Peacock to pick up a third season.

One recurring theme in viewer comments: the show’s educational value. Many shared how episodes prompted discussions about mental health, empathy in medicine and neurodiversity. While not a massive commercial hit, “Brilliant Minds” left an impression on those who found it.

Television executives note that passionate but small audiences increasingly struggle in the linear model. Streaming metrics, which NBC does not always disclose, may have played a role, but insufficient linear delivery sealed the fate.

What’s Next for the Cast and Network

Quinto and the ensemble have wrapped production. The summer burn-off will give loyal viewers closure as the final six episodes air. Whether those installments can generate buzz or streaming numbers remains to be seen.

For NBC, the focus shifts to developing replacements for the Monday 10 p.m. slot. Early indications point to new drama pilots emphasizing broader appeal or franchise extensions. The network will also lean on proven performers like “The Voice,” “Chicago” series and “Law & Order” while testing fresh concepts.

The cancellation of “Brilliant Minds” underscores ongoing industry turbulence. Broadcast networks grapple with declining overall viewership, rising production costs and competition from unlimited streaming libraries. Shows that once would have survived on modest numbers now face swift axes unless they deliver breakout demos or strong delayed viewing.

As summer episodes roll out, “Brilliant Minds” exits not with a ratings bang but with quiet appreciation from fans and critics who valued its ambition. In an era where data drives decisions, the series proved that critical heart and audience connection do not always translate to renewal in the competitive television landscape. NBC moves forward, hoping its next medical drama finds the elusive balance of quality and commercial success.

The Justice Department filed a complaint against Minnesota on Monday over the state’s climate lawsuit against energy companies, arguing the case improperly attempts to regulate global greenhouse gas emissions and override federal authority.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, seeks to block enforcement of Minnesota’s state court lawsuit, which DOJ officials say burdens domestic energy development and conflicts with federal law.

The department said the filing advances President Donald Trump’s executive order directing the DOJ to protect American energy from what the administration describes as state overreach.

“President Trump promised to unleash American energy dominance, and Minnesota officials cannot undermine his directive by mandating that their woke climate preferences become the uniform policy of our Nation,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said in a statement.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.