In Washington, the US military has stated that two of its destroyers crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday to begin mine-clearing operations in this strategic maritime route controlled by Iran, a claim denied by Tehran amid ongoing talks between the two countries in Pakistan.
Later in the evening, the Revolutionary Guards of Iran, the ideological army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, threatened to take “severe” action against any military vessel passing through the strait.
The two ships were operating as part of “a broader mission to ensure that the strait is completely cleared of marine mines previously laid by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards,” stated the US military’s Central Command (Centcom) in a communication.
These claims were strongly rejected by the spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, as reported by state television.
Amid peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan, where the issue of traffic in the strait is significant, Centcom’s announcement came. Navigation remains restricted in this strategic maritime route for oil and global commerce, nearly blocked by Iran since the start of the war, despite its reopening being a ceasefire condition.
In the interest of providing a safe passage for countries worldwide, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others, an operation was initiated to establish a new passage, as stated by American Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom’s chief.
Further efforts involving additional US forces, including underwater drones, will be joining the mine-clearing operations in the coming days, as confirmed by the admiral.
Donald Trump, speaking on social media platform Truth Social, claimed that the US had begun “the process of blocking the Strait of Hormuz.” This operation was presented as a “favor for countries around the world” to encourage free trade circulation alongside the maritime industry.
The President also criticized the media for suggesting that Iran is winning the war against the US, emphasizing that they are actually losing, especially since American strikes have caused their entire fleet of 28 mine-laying ships to sink.
Without providing specifics, Trump also mentioned that “empty oil tankers from many countries are all heading towards the United States to be filled with oil.”
The situation remains tense in the region as military actions and diplomatic negotiations continue between the US and Iran.
