WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that the United States has begun clearing naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a “service to the world” aimed at preventing potential maritime disasters.
According to international reports, Trump warned that the biggest threat currently facing global shipping in the region is the possibility of vessels striking sea mines, which could result in massive destruction. He claimed that US forces are actively working to eliminate this danger by removing mines allegedly laid in the strategic waterway.
Trump stated that the operation benefits not only the United States but also major economies including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany, which rely heavily on the route for energy supplies. He suggested that these countries lack the capability or willingness to undertake such an operation themselves.
The US president further claimed that Iranian vessels involved in deploying the mines had been neutralized and that much of Iran’s naval and aerial capabilities, including missiles and drones, had been significantly weakened.
Earlier, US officials alleged that Iran had deployed naval mines in a scattered manner using small boats following the escalation of conflict with the United States and Israel. They also claimed that Iran had not maintained a complete record of the mine locations, and shifting sea conditions may have displaced some of them.
Officials added that unlike landmines, naval mines are more complex to detect and remove, requiring advanced expertise and specialized equipment.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, with nearly 20 percent of global oil supply passing through it. Recent tensions and the reported deployment of mines have significantly disrupted maritime traffic in the region.
