U.S. Launches Mine Clearance in Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military launched a mine clearance operation in the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, 2026, deploying two guided-missile destroyers to secure the vital waterway amid ongoing regional tensions. The USS Frank E. Peterson Jr. (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the strait and began operations in the Arabian Gulf as part of efforts to remove sea mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the mission's start, stating it aims to restore safe passage for commercial shipping through the strait, which handles about 20 percent of global oil shipments. "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," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. The operation marks the initial phase of broader activities to neutralize the mines, which have disrupted international trade routes and contributed to volatility in energy markets, including spikes in U.S. gasoline prices.

Additional U.S. assets, including underwater drones for mine detection and clearance, are set to join the effort in the coming days. U.S....