Former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the "International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz" have been completely de-mined and that the U.S. Space Force is monitoring the waterway for any potential new explosives. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. Navy had swept the strait, detonating or removing existing mines.
He further asserted that any newly identified mines would be destroyed, adding, "Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed." According to Trump, the Space Force is monitoring "every square inch" of the strait, alongside other unspecified sites. A "Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement" is reportedly in full effect.
U.S. officials familiar with the matter told Axios that Trump's statement referred specifically to the middle lane of the strait, known as the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), where the Navy recovered more than 100 suspected mines. Private companies were contracted by the Department of War to assist in this de-mining operation within the median lane. CENTCOM declined to provide further details, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump and administration officials have frequently highlighted that exports continue to flow through the critical oil chokepoint. Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed Friday that the "7-day average of oil leaving the Strait is over 8 million barrels a day." Based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which indicates a Very Large Crude Carrier holds approximately 2 million barrels, this volume suggests significant traffic.
Ship tracking data from the past 24 hours shows at least 16 vessels have transited the strait, occurring amid a U.S. naval blockade against Iranian ships exiting the channel. The southern lane, which runs along the coast of Oman, has been utilized by U.S. military ships to escort tankers.
Separately, Oman's foreign affairs minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Busaidi, announced on X that Oman is collaborating with Iran on a "temporary joint navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement to implement a joint project to clear the Strait of mines." Discussions between the two nations in Tehran reportedly resulted in an agreement with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi regarding plans for a "permanent navigation corridor and future arrangements for managing the Strait, alongside establishing a mechanism for exchanging information, managing navigation traffic, and providing related navigational and security services."