US Central Command has launched operations to clear sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such mission since hostilities with Iran escalated earlier this year. The move comes as American warships resumed transits through the vital waterway, even as Tehran warned that vessels must seek its permission before entering the strait. 

CENTCOM confirmed that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers crossed the strait on 11 April as part of wider efforts to re-establish safe maritime passage.

“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, commander of CENTCOM.

US Destroyers conduct first transit since outbreak of conflict

The USS Frank E Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) moved through the strait into the Arabian Gulf and later returned to the Arabian Sea. CENTCOM said the mission aims to ensure the area is free from sea mines allegedly deployed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Additional US assets, including underwater drones, are expected to join the effort in the coming days.

US media, including The Wall Street Journal, cited officials confirming the destroyers’ transit, while Axios reported that the passage was not coordinated with Iranian authorities.

Iran claims warning was issued, US denies

Iranian outlet Fars News reported that a US destroyer was tracked approaching the Strait of Hormuz from Fujairah, prompting Tehran to issue a warning via Pakistani intermediaries. According to the report, Iran cautioned that “if the vessel continues, it will be targeted within 30 minutes, and Iran-US talks will be impacted”.

However, Axios, quoting a U.S. official, said Washington had not received any such warning.

The Iranian government condemned the transit as a violation of a fragile ceasefire, threatening retaliation. The warning came amid ongoing US–Iran peace discussions hosted in Islamabad.

Tehran orders ships to seek permission

Iran’s navy has recently instructed commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz to obtain approval before making the passage, warning over radio that unauthorised transit would result in destruction.

“You must receive permission from Iranian Sepah navy for passing through the strait. If any vessel tries to transit without permission, will be destroyed," the message said.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of American strikes on Iran, conditional on reopening the strait. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded, “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”

Trump says US has ‘cleared out’ Iranian capabilities

On Saturday, Trump claimed the United States had severely damaged Iran’s military assets.

“…Radar is dead, their Missile and Drone Factories have been largely obliterated along with the Missiles and Drones themselves and, most importantly, their longtime ‘Leaders’ are no longer with us, praise be to Allah!" he wrote on Truth Social.

He added, “The only thing they have going is the threat that a ship may “bunk" into one of their sea mines which, by the way, all 28 of their mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea.”

Strategic waterway critical to global trade

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel between Iran and Oman, remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with about 20% of global oil shipments passing through. The recent conflict has effectively shuttered the corridor, driving up energy market volatility and raising fears of broader regional escalation.

Despite Tehran’s assertions of control and ongoing peace talks, the US says it will continue operations to ensure a safe route for global commerce. Trump has framed the clearance effort as benefiting countries reliant on the strait’s oil trade, claiming nations including China, Japan and France “don’t have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves”.

Meanwhile, senior Iranian and US officials met in Pakistan over the weekend in an attempt to stabilise tensions and secure a durable arrangement for reopening the strait.