The U.S. Navy reportedly conducted a covert, four-month mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which an estimated one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. The operation, which involved U.S. Navy SEAL divers working at night, concluded shortly before President Donald Trump announced last week that "all mines" in the strait's international waters had been removed or detonated.
Iranian forces began placing mines in the strait after U.S. and Israeli forces attacked the country in February. By June, an estimated 80 mines had been laid in the shipping lanes, according to the International Maritime Organization. The U.S. Navy's operation utilized small teams working under the cover of darkness, employing inflatable-hulled crafts and advanced technology like robot boats and submersibles with towed sonar arrays to locate the mines. These devices can detect objects on the seabed, allowing for extensive sweeps with reduced risk to crew members.
Once located, divers would approach the mines underwater to place charges for detonation. Alternatively, robotic submersibles, such as the UK's SeaFox or the U.S. AN/ASQ-235 Anchorfish, could be used to destroy the mines. Demining experts note that mine-clearing operations are inherently time-consuming and dangerous, involving active underwater detonations. Despite the risks, no U.S. casualties have been reported in connection with this specific demining operation.
Following President Trump's announcement, ship owners and security advisors expressed cautious optimism regarding the southern half of the strait near Oman's coast, where U.S. forces have been guiding ships. However, doubts persist about the complete clearance of the entire 104-mile waterway, as only a limited number of commercial vessels have traversed the strait since the conflict began. The threat of mines has significantly impacted shipping insurance costs, increasing them tenfold for some vessels.
Iranian officials have contested the U.S. claims, with Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating in late August that only Iran knows the locations of the mines. The U.S. military's Joint Maritime Information Center also warned of a continued risk from drifting or uncharted mines. Military analysts point to Iran's possession of thousands of Maham mines, some of which are designed to detonate upon impact or when detecting a vessel's electromagnetic field.
Iranian media has claimed that at least two tankers struck mines in the past week, though these reports have not been confirmed by maritime authorities. An Iranian military spokesman also alleged that Tehran had laid more mines near Oman. On August 30, the U.S. military reported striking Iranian rocket launchers that were preparing to fire sea mines into the strait.
Experts acknowledge the difficulty in confirming complete mine clearance and the possibility of missed explosives. The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz means that Iran's ability to project the perception of control is a significant source of leverage. For the United States, establishing sufficient confidence for shipping to resume may be more critical than proving every single mine has been removed. The ongoing information war surrounding the strait's security is considered by some analysts to be as significant as the physical situation on the water.
