American military forces launched mine-clearing operations Saturday in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with the start of diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Pakistan’s capital.
According to US officials, Iranian representatives have acknowledged they cannot pinpoint the locations of explosive devices they previously placed in the waterway, creating additional challenges for reopening the crucial shipping route.
President Donald Trump announced the military action on his Truth Social platform, stating: “We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others.” Trump also declared in his post that Iran was “losing big.”
Pentagon officials confirmed that US Central Command forces “began setting conditions for clearing mines” in the strait Saturday. Two American naval vessels, the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy, passed through the Strait of Hormuz during the operation.
Maritime monitoring systems tracked the USS Michael Murphy’s movement through the waterway Saturday. However, conflicting accounts emerged about the mission, with a high-ranking Iranian military leader claiming the warship retreated after Tehran issued threats of attack. American officials disputed this version of events, according to Axios reporting.
The waterway dispute is anticipated to dominate discussions during the ongoing diplomatic meetings in Islamabad. American negotiators are pushing for complete restoration of maritime commerce, while Iranian officials insist on maintaining control over the passage and have suggested implementing transit fees for vessels.
The New York Times reported, citing American government sources, that Iran lacks both the ability to find the underwater explosives it installed and the technical capability to safely extract them, severely hampering any potential reopening of shipping lanes.
These developments unfold as representatives from both nations have commenced formal discussions in Pakistan aimed at establishing broader diplomatic engagement. The future of the Strait of Hormuz has become a central point of contention in the initial phases of these negotiations.
