U.S. forces have successfully cleared Iranian sea mines from the international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced. The months-long operation, which utilized a combination of Navy divers, SEALs, and air power from multiple branches of the military, has allowed commercial vessels to resume transit under U.S. protection.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that the "internationally recognized transit routes in the Strait are free of Iranian sea mines thanks to the incredible work of the U.S. military." He identified the cleared area as the Strait's Traffic Separation Scheme, a system of opposing lanes guiding commercial traffic between Iran and Oman. The operation was conducted to ensure safe passage in one of the world's most critical waterways.
"Our forces meticulously and quietly cleared them of sea mine threats using a combination of Navy divers, Navy SEALs and U.S. air power from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps," Cooper said in a video update. He added that the circumstances were challenging and dangerous, but the mission was accomplished, with international shipping lanes now open and gaining momentum.
While the cleared lanes are now operational, other threats persist in the broader maritime region. The latest maritime guidance still classifies the Strait at a "SEVERE" threat level, with recent attacks on tankers near Oman and oil flows remaining significantly below pre-war levels. A Joint Maritime Information Center advisory issued on August 25 continues to warn of a continued risk from drifting or uncharted mines.
U.S. forces have provided coordinated protection for nearly 1,500 commercial vessels transiting the Strait in recent months, carrying approximately 750 million barrels of crude oil. CENTCOM is simultaneously enforcing a naval blockade on Iran, having turned away 75 vessels attempting to run it and disabled three that failed to comply with directions since mid-July.
Sources indicate that American forces swept more than 200 mine-like objects from the main shipping lane, with 11 identified as actual mines, a process requiring painstaking verification. While specific operational details and neutralization methods have not been disclosed for security reasons, the Navy has a long history of preparing for such operations, with recurring mine-countermeasure exercises dating back to 2012.
The clearance operation comes as the Navy navigates a transition in its mine warfare capabilities, having retired older mine countermeasure ships while newer unmanned systems are still being fielded. The operation highlights a multifaceted approach, relying on a diverse set of assets and personnel.
Despite the cleared lanes, commercial traffic remains disrupted, with oil flows through the Strait at about 5 million barrels per day, down from over 20 million before the conflict. Shipping data also shows a decrease in the number of vessels transiting the Strait. Concurrently, Iran and Oman have announced discussions regarding a joint navigation corridor and mine-clearance project, though details on its scope relative to the U.S.-cleared lanes remain unspecified.