WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States military has started to clear the Strait of Hormuz nL1N40T08R, and that all of
US military 'setting conditions' to clear mines from Strait of Hormuz
US Military Operations and Impact on the Strait of Hormuz
Initiation of Mine-Clearing Operations
WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Saturday that it had started “setting conditions" for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with two U.S. warships passing through the key waterway.
In a post on X, the U.S. Central Command said the USS Frank Peterson and USS Michael Murphy transited the Strait of Hormuz "as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps."
Establishing Safe Passage for Maritime Industry
"Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce," Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of Central Command, said in a statement.
Statements from US Leadership
President Trump's Announcements
Earlier on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that the United States military has started to clear the Strait of Hormuz nL1N40T08R, and that all of Iran's minelaying ships have been sunk.
"We're now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, adding that "all 28" of Iran's "mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea."
Claims Regarding Iranian Military Capabilities
Trump has repeatedly said that American forces have destroyed Iran's navy and air force while crippling its ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
Global and Economic Implications
Impact on Global Oil Supply
But fear of Iranian attacks on shipping over the past several weeks has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global oil supplies. Throttling the strait has disrupted global energy markets.
Effect on US Gasoline Prices
U.S. gasoline prices have spiked https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/boston-denver-us-drivers-cut-back-iran-war-pushes-fuel-costs-higher-2026-04-11/ even though most of the oil that flows through the waterway does not go to the United States.
Diplomatic Efforts and Ongoing Conflict
US-Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire
Representatives from the U.S. and Iran began talks nL1N40U01A hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad on Saturday amid a fragile ceasefire in the conflict.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Jason Lange; Editing by Jan Harvey, Sergio Non and Alistair Bell)
