Trump Says U.S. Navy Has Cleared All Mines From Strait Of Hormuz Shipping Lane, Warns Iran

US President Donald Trump has announced on Tuesday that the US Navy has disposed of all the mines present in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said that all the mines had been cleared in the main international shipping lane in the strait, which is referred to as the Traffic Separation Scheme.

The mines had been affecting the shipping lane and many ships were forced to use a secondary channel towards the south and close to Oman.

The US President has also warned Iran saying that all the ships and boats responsible for laying of mines in the waterway will be “immediately and systematically destroyed.”

Trump added that every square inch of the strait and the Pickaxe Mountain region is being monitored by the United States through its Space Force. Trump declared that there is a “Zero Tolerance Policy” against the laying of mines in the waterway.

The clearance of the main shipping lane would enable the ships to travel freely in both directions in the strait under the protection of the US Air Force, according to the US officials. This could result in the flow of more oil in the international market.

Over 100 Mines Found in the Region

The mines had been placed in the strait since the start of the summer conflict when Iran had placed dozens of mines in the median lane.

Iran had agreed to remove all the mines in the strait under an agreement made with the United States earlier this year. However, the agreement had later failed and no mine clearance took place.

Afterward, the US Navy underwater drones surveyed the strait and discovered over 100 mines. These mines were later disposed of or detonated by private contractors, according to the US officials.

Although the median lane of the strait still remained mined, the US military guided tankers through a southern route close to the coast of Oman.

Over 500 ships had used the southern route in the last 30 days, according to the US officials. Out of these vessels, around 2% of vessels were hit by Iranian drones or missiles.

While the United States and Iran have not attacked each other’s military for several weeks, attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz are continuing.

Iran and Oman Discuss Temporary Shipping Route

The ministers of foreign affairs of Iran and Oman met in Tehran to discuss plans regarding restoration of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministers discussed a phased framework that includes setting up a joint temporary navigation corridor through the strait and carrying out a joint project to clear mines, according to a statement from Oman’s Foreign Ministry.

Iran and Oman are also expected to continue technical talks on a permanent navigation arrangement. The discussions include possible mechanisms for information exchange, traffic management and maritime security services.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said he hoped the two countries would “soon announce a temporary corridor for the Strait of Hormuz and practical arrangements to restore safe navigation.”

References: turkiyetoday, moneycontrol