US Navy Clears Iranian Mines From Strait of Hormuz Using Destroyers

The United States began clearing sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, 2026.

“The United States military command that oversees the Middle East (CENTCOM) has said that two of its ships have travelled through the Strait of Hormuz, a claim swiftly denied by Iran”

Al Jazeera

CENTCOM announced that the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy had transited the strait.

Al Jazeera

Admiral Brad Cooper said, "Today we have begun the process of creating a new passage."

President Trump framed the operation as a favor to countries that don’t have the courage or will to do this work themselves.

Iran's military swiftly denied the US claim of transiting the strait.

The announcement came amid ongoing trilateral peace talks in Islamabad.

CENTCOM stated that additional US forces, including underwater drones, would join the clearance effort.

DefenseScoop explained that the Navy plans to use underwater drones such as the Knifefish.

CNA

The Navy retired its minesweepers and has turned to littoral combat ships.

The Guardian noted that the operation represents a major escalation in maritime security.

The Hill reported that about a fifth of the world's oil consumption flows through the passage daily.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

“The Navy plans to use underwater drones in the coming days as part of its new effort to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, U”

DefenseScoop

Roughly one-fifth of global oil traded passes through it before the conflict.

The closure of the strait by Iran had sent energy prices soaring.

Brent crude was trading at about $97 on the day of the clearance operation announcement.