By Paul Joseph
United States President Donald Trump says the US Navy has cleared or detonated all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, amid continuing tensions over access to the strategic waterway.
Trump made the claim in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, saying he had been informed by the US Navy that the mines had been removed or destroyed.
He warned that any ship or boat that attempts to lay new mines in the strait would face an immediate and forceful response.
Trump said the United States had adopted a “Zero Tolerance” policy towards the placement of mines in the strategic waterway and that the US Space Force was closely monitoring the area.
“Through Space Force, we are watching every square inch of the Strait,” Trump said, while also referring to US surveillance of Iranian nuclear sites he claimed had been destroyed.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, remains one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, particularly for the transportation of crude oil and other energy supplies.
Trump has previously said the waterway was open and operating normally after underwater mines were removed or detonated. Iran, however, has disputed Washington’s characterisation of the situation and maintained that the strait remains closed.
The latest claim comes as tensions remain high over freedom of navigation through the waterway, with Washington seeking to ensure the safe passage of commercial and other vessels.
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