JUST IN: U.S. Navy Begins Mine Clearance Mission In Strait Of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the U.S. Navy initiated mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to restore safe passage through the critical waterway.

Two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and the USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), transited the strait and conducted operations in the Arabian Gulf, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The activity was described as he beginning of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper announced in a press release. The command indicated that additional American forces, including underwater drones, would join the clearance effort in the coming days.

President Donald Trump further confirmed the action in a Truth Social post. “We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others,” the president wrote.

He added that all 28 of Iran’s mine-laying boats were “lying at the bottom of the sea.”

U.S. President Donald J. Trump said earlier that the U.S. is now in the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz of mines, following reports that U.S. naval vessels transited the strait this morning. According to President Trump, during Operation Epic Fury, 28 Iranian mine laying… pic.twitter.com/fQGHDAmOES

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 11, 2026

The operation comes as the vital waterway — which was responsible for transiting about one-fifth of the world’s oil exports prior to the conflict — has been blockaded by Iranian forces since the conflict erupted on February 28. The regime has managed to keep control of the strait through mines, speed boats and one-way drones, resulting in a near halt of traffic for several weeks.

Saturday’s mine-clearing effort comes despite Iranian threats to attack U.S. ships that transit the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the day Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to attack mine-clearing ships and gave a deadline for withdrawal.

According to statements from CENTCOM and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, the ships managed to navigate the strait and begin their mission despite the regime’s threats.

The operation occurs against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire and high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. Vice President JD Vance is leading the U.S. delegation in trilateral talks with Iranian and Pakistani officials aimed at converting the ceasefire into a lasting agreement.

Key issues include reopening the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted commercial shipping, sanctions relief, nuclear enrichment limits, and regional security matters involving Lebanon.

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