Strait of Hormuz Cleared of Iranian Mines, Open for International Shipping

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that U.S. forces have successfully removed all Iranian sea mines from internationally recognized transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, announced that the recognized transit lanes are now free of those mines, allowing international shipping to resume. The operation involved Navy divers, SEALs, and air power from multiple branches of the U.S. military, working over months in challenging conditions. Nearly 1,500 commercial vessels carrying roughly 750 million barrels of crude oil were escorted through the strait during this period. Iran, meanwhile, has not exported any oil since mid-July due to the U.S. naval blockade. No ships have entered or exited Iranian ports without U.S. permission, with exceptions only on humanitarian grounds. Around 75 vessels were turned back, and three disabled for non-compliance.