The U.S. said on Friday that it had removed a number of Iranian mines from the Persian Gulf, but Iran dismissed it as "false propaganda". The U.S. Central Command said in a statement that five to seven naval mines had been removed from the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and Thursday. It released photos of what it said was a mine, which had been attached to the side of a ship. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied that any mines had been removed, and accused the U.S. of "making false claims". The incident has raised tensions between the two countries, which have had a long-standing dispute over Iran's nuclear program and U.S. military presence in the region. The U.S. has led a coalition of nations in re-imposing sanctions on Iran since President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal last year. Iran has since stepped up its naval activities in the Persian Gulf, where many of the world's oil exports pass through. The U.S. accusations were made on the same day that Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran would not negotiate with the U.S. unless it lifted all sanctions. The U.S. accusations also come as Iran has threatened to take further steps away from a 2015 nuclear deal. Iran's Atomic Energy Organization spokesman, Behrouz Maleki, said on Friday that Tehran was enriching more uranium than before. The U.S. accusations are "false claims and a show", said a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the region. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for caution and restraint. The U.S. has urged its allies to join a naval coalition to protect shipping in the region. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed support for the U.S. plan. But Iran has warned that any attempt to disrupt its shipping would be met with a response. The incident has raised tensions in a region already on edge over Iran's nuclear program and U.S. military presence. It comes as the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region. The U.S. has also accused Iran of being behind a series of attacks on oil tankers in the region. Iran has denied any involvement.
The United States has removed mines from a key shipping lane in the Hormuz Strait, according to the Pentagon. This significant move could weaken Iran's primary bargaining chip in the strategic waterway, which has been under pressure from the United States. However, just hours later, Iranian and Omani officials jointly announced a plan for a temporary crossing and phased mine removal efforts.
Tensions have since escalated as Iran denies the United States' claim, labeling it as "propaganda," while warning that U.S. warships entering the strait could become targets. The U.S. has also instructed Omani vessels to bypass Iran's territorial waters, only allowing tankers to pass through. Iran insists that both straits must remain open, demanding that the United States first fulfill its obligations under a June memorandum of understanding.
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