US Clears Iranian Sea Mines from Strait of Hormuz | Mariner News

The US military has announced it has successfully cleared Iranian sea mines from international shipping lanes within the Strait of Hormuz, restoring safety to the critical waterway after months of meticulous operations. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed today that internationally recognized transit routes are now free of the mines, which were laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps months ago.

Admiral Cooper stated that US forces, utilizing Navy divers, Navy SEALs, and air power from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, quietly and painstakingly cleared the threats over recent months. This sustained, multi-branch effort highlights a significant, unannounced maritime security challenge that required continuous, high-level intervention to prevent potential disruption to global energy supplies.

During this period, US forces assisted more than 1,500 commercial vessels transiting the Strait. These ships were carrying nearly 750 million barrels of crude oil to global markets, underscoring the vital economic implications of maintaining safe passage through the chokepoint. The announcement, made after the clearing operation was complete, suggests a strategic intent to project stability and security rather than to alarm the market during the ongoing threat.

This sustained, quiet engagement points to the persistent nature of maritime threats in the region and the continuous effort required to maintain the uninterrupted flow of trade through one of the world’s most critical oil transit arteries, often without public knowledge until the immediate danger is neutralised.