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// DOSSIER — trump-declares-strait-hormuz-cleared-mines-warns-iran
Trump Declares Strait of Hormuz Cleared of Mines, Warns Iran Against New Deployments
REL_TIME: 25 Aug 2026 21:13Z · LANG: EN
On August 25, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy had successfully cleared or detonated all naval mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, specifically reopening the central Traffic Separation Scheme shipping lane. Trump declared a zero-tolerance policy, warning Iran that any vessel attempting to lay new mines would be systematically destroyed, and asserted that the US Space Force is monitoring the waterway. Despite Trump's claims of a fully open strait and his rhetorical designation of the waterway as 'new US territory,' shipping data shows transit remains severely depressed at 5 million barrels of oil per day compared to over 20 million pre-war. Concurrently, Iran and Oman are negotiating their own joint navigation framework and temporary corridor, while Iran maintains that the strait will remain closed to normal traffic until the US lifts sanctions and blockades.
// Background
The conflict erupted on February 28, 2026, following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to blockade the strategic Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint that normally handles 20% of global oil and LNG transit. In response, the US imposed a naval counter-blockade and launched mine-clearing operations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy deployed dozens of mines in the central shipping lanes to disrupt traffic. While the US has systematically cleared over 100 mines using underwater drones and private contractors, tensions remain high as both nations vie for geopolitical control of the waterway.
// Key Developments
- President Trump announced the complete clearance of naval mines from the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz by the US Navy.
- Trump issued a zero-tolerance warning to Iran, threatening the immediate destruction of any vessel attempting to deploy new mines.
- The US Navy utilized underwater drones to identify over 100 mines in the central Traffic Separation Scheme, contracting private firms for their removal.
- Despite US claims of an open waterway, oil transit remains at 5 million barrels per day, down from over 20 million barrels per day before the conflict.
- Iran and Oman are independently negotiating a phased framework for a temporary joint shipping corridor and regional mine-clearing efforts.
- Trump threatened military action against Oman if it interferes with US objectives, while also claiming the US Space Force is monitoring the region.
// Timeline
-
The US and Israel attack Iran, triggering the Middle East war and prompting Tehran to seize and blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
-
Trump demands Iran remove all naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, threatening severe military consequences.
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The US Navy initiates systematic mine-clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
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The US and Iran sign a memorandum of understanding to end the war, which later stalls over implementation and navigation disputes.
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Trump first claims the US Navy has mine-swept the entire Strait of Hormuz.
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Trump posts a graphic on Truth Social depicting the Strait of Hormuz as 'new US territory' and claims the waterway is open.
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Trump posts the 'new US territory' graphic for a second time; shipping data shows oil transit remains critically low at 5 million barrels per day.
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Trump officially announces that all mines in international waters have been cleared, warning Iran of a zero-tolerance policy, while Iranian and Omani foreign ministers meet in Tehran to discuss a temporary joint corridor.
// Perspectives
[United States (President Trump)]
Asserts total military control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring it 'new US territory' and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against Iranian mining with threats of immediate destruction.
[Iran]
Rejects US claims of an open strait, insisting the waterway remains closed until the US lifts its naval blockade and sanctions, while pursuing joint shipping protocols with Oman.
[Oman]
Seeking a diplomatic, regional solution by negotiating a temporary joint navigation corridor and cooperative mine-clearing framework with Iran.
[Commercial Shipping Operators]
Remain highly cautious and hesitant to resume normal transit due to ongoing risks of missile attacks, drone strikes, and high insurance costs, keeping traffic down by over 90%.
// Quotes
“I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz.”
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the sh*t out of them.”
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed, despite American claims, and it will not be opened until America corrects its behaviour...”
“We've been waiting for these plans for a long time, and the government is and was ready and has a two-year plan to manage these events.”
