US allies doubt that the Strait of Hormuz is fully demined
US allies doubt President Donald Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz has been completely cleared of sea mines. In their assessment, American forces have made some progress, but some of the 80–150 mines, presumably laid by Iran, may still remain in the strategically important waterway.
This was reported by Bloomberg, citing officials from allied countries who discussed the situation on condition of anonymity.
According to them, American forces likely managed to destroy or neutralize some of the mines in international waters. However, the allies do not believe that the operation located all the explosive devices.
Ocean currents create an additional problem. Even mines whose original location was known could have shifted a considerable distance. This complicates the search and prevents the entire route from being considered guaranteed safe.
Trump declared the strait fully demined
On August 25, Trump said he had received information from the U.S. Navy that all mines had been removed or destroyed in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
The president also said that Iran had been warned: any vessel that attempts to lay new mines will be “immediately and systematically destroyed.” According to Trump, the situation in the strait is also being monitored by the U.S. military, including using the capabilities of the U.S. Space Force.
The White House is trying to convince shipping and energy companies that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is stabilizing. The resumption of normal tanker traffic is crucial for the global oil market: in normal conditions, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through this route.
At the same time, ship traffic volumes remain significantly below pre-war levels, and shipping companies continue to take elevated risks into account when planning routes through the region.
Iran and Oman have agreed to continue demining themselves
Doubts about Washington’s claim are reinforced by an agreement between Iran and Oman. On August 25, the foreign ministers of the two countries announced work on a temporary shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.
The joint plan explicitly includes a project to clear the strait of mines. The parties intend to gradually create a safe temporary route, and later agree on a more permanent shipping arrangement.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also stated on August 26 that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, despite the agreements with Oman. He disputed Trump’s assertion of full demining and said that only the Iranian side knows the exact location of the laid mines.
Thus, a significant discrepancy remains between Washington’s public assessment and information from U.S. allies. The American administration claims that international waters are cleared of mines, while allied officials believe that some explosive devices may remain undetected and continue to pose a threat to shipping.
Based on materials from: Bloomberg, Associated Press, CBS News
