U.S. Clears Hormuz Mines, Boosts Oil Flow Under Blockade

U.S. Central Command reported that American forces have cleared Iranian sea mines from the international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Admiral Brad Cooper detailed how Navy divers, SEAL teams and air support removed the mines placed months earlier by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The operation has reopened the main transit routes without further incident.

Nearly 1,500 commercial ships have passed through the strait under U.S. protection since the clearance began. Those vessels carried close to 750 million barrels of crude oil bound for global markets. In the most recent two weeks alone, 130 million barrels moved through the waterway. Iranian exports during the same period stand at zero after the naval blockade took effect.

American forces turned back 75 vessels attempting to break the blockade. Three others that ignored warnings were disabled. The actions followed Iran's earlier attempt to close the strait at the outset of the conflict by mining the primary shipping lane. Iranian officials had warned that tankers would face attacks if they tried to transit.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the effort as Operation Economic Outcast and said it targets the Iranian regime's ability to fund itself through oil sales. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth praised the military units involved for completing the mine clearance under difficult conditions.

President Trump stated that the strait is now open and that the Iranian response has remained limited. He indicated the priority remains preventing any return to earlier restrictions on shipping. The developments come after six months of conflict that began with strikes aimed at Iran's missile and nuclear facilities and later shifted focus to control of the energy route.

The blockade has cut off Iran's primary source of foreign revenue at a time when its economy already faces severe strain. U.S. officials note that maintaining open transit lanes supports steady oil supplies without requiring broader commitments on the ground.