Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, announced that U.S. forces have successfully removed sea mines placed by Iran from the recognized shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. This operation aligns with President Donald Trump’s recent claim that the area has been cleared for safe navigation.
In a video posted on X, Cooper shared that U.S. forces spent several months clearing mines from the Traffic Separation Scheme, a set of lanes historically used for commercial shipping.
“These lanes have long been used for international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” Cooper noted. “Our forces have carefully and quietly cleared them using Navy divers, Navy SEALs, and air support from all branches of the military.”
He added, “The situation was challenging and dangerous, but we accomplished the task. The key point is that the international shipping lanes are now open, and activity is increasing.”
Cooper revealed that U.S. forces have helped transit 1,500 vessels through the Strait, carrying around 750 million barrels of crude oil. He also pointed out that Iran has not exported any oil since the U.S. reinstated its blockade.
This information gives clearer insight into the mine-clearance efforts since Trump stated earlier this week that the U.S. Navy had removed or detonated all mines in international waters within Hormuz.
“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,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump also warned that any ship attempting to lay new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed,” emphasizing a U.S. stance of “Zero Tolerance” for new mine placements.
Cooper’s statement specifically addresses the Traffic Separation Scheme rather than declaring the entire Strait free of mines.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) warned that there are still risks from drifting or uncharted mines in or near the TSS, and that some mine danger areas remain active. JMIC added that mine clearance operations are ongoing throughout the Strait and has maintained a SEVERE threat assessment.
This warning indicates that while U.S. forces may have cleared known mines from the main shipping lanes, the broader waterway is not yet considered mine-free.
The announcement comes as the U.S. works to boost commercial traffic through Hormuz after nearly six months of conflict and significant disruptions at one of the world’s key shipping points.
Current traffic levels are still lower than normal. JMIC reported that the Strait averaged about 138 vessel transits daily in 2025. Data from the U.S. showed only 37 U.S.-facilitated transits on August 25 and 26, while other tracking data shows a notable decrease in non-facilitated commercial traffic.
On August 25, the tanker AL SALAM II was hit by an unknown projectile while heading east through the Strait, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations and JMIC. The projectile struck just above the waterline, causing a small hole and a fire that the crew managed to extinguish. No injuries were reported.
This incident occurred just as Trump announced “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 2026” in Iran on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, Iran and Oman are working on a plan to ensure safe navigation through Hormuz, including a temporary joint navigation corridor, a mine-clearing project, and discussions for a permanent corridor and future management of the Strait.