US says Hormuz mines cleared, but Iran and experts warn lingering dangers
President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces have removed all mines from the Strait of Hormuz, yet Iran’s deputy foreign minister and maritime specialists say the waterway remains hazardous.
Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to assert that the U.S. Navy has detonated every sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any new mines will be destroyed. Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, rejected the statement, saying the strait remains shut and that only Iran knows the mines’ locations, labeling the U.S. claim as market-calming rhetoric. While U.S. CENTCOM reports that known mines in primary shipping lanes have been cleared, the Joint Maritime Information Center and the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre note a continued risk from drifting or uncharted mines.
Experts stress that Iran retains a sizable stockpile of mines and can redeploy them, and that missiles, drones and anti-ship weapons pose an even greater danger. Insurance premiums for vessels transiting the waterway have risen sharply, discouraging a return to pre-war traffic levels, though some shippers are adapting with shuttle services and ship-to-ship transfers. Ultimately, clearance of known mines does not guarantee permanent safety in Hormuz.
Why it matters
The strait handles a fifth of global oil and gas flow, so lingering mine risks affect worldwide energy prices and shipping safety.
How this story developed
- Jul 20 U.S. and Iran intensify air strikes over Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy stalls
- Aug 24 The United States unveiled the sanctions package on Monday.
- Aug 24 The United Arab Emirates announced it is suspending all trade with Iran.
- Aug 24 The Treasury Department unveiled Operation Economic Outcast, a fresh round of secondary sanctions targeting nations that keep trade ties with Iran.
- Aug 24 Iran formally rejected the U.S. claim to Hormuz and demanded Washington meet a 14‑point memorandum before the passage is reopened.
- Aug 25 Iran pledged to respond to the United States' broadened sanctions, while Washington warned trading partners of possible financial penalties.
- Aug 25 Iranian rial fell to a record 2.02 million per US dollar.
- Aug 25 President Trump held an impromptu press briefing focused on construction projects rather than the Iran conflict.
- Aug 25 The Treasury listed about 60 Iranian individuals, entities and vessels for sanction and detailed secondary penalties for foreign firms.
- Aug 25 A senior Pakistani delegation met with Iran's president in Tehran for talks described as very positive.
- Aug 25 The United States announced sanctions on roughly 60 Iran‑linked parties.
- Aug 25 Somali pirates captured six merchant vessels across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean since April.
- Aug 25 Oman’s foreign ministry said its senior diplomat met Iran’s foreign minister to discuss a temporary navigation corridor and joint mine‑clearance.
- Aug 26 Iran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed despite ongoing negotiations with Oman.
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