US Navy SEALS conducted covert four-month mission to clear Strait of Hormuz mines - report
The objective of the operation was to make the strait safer for commercial vessels that had largely avoided the waterway since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.
A covert four-month mine-clearing mission in the Strait of Hormuz aimed to open up the waterway, reported the Financial Times. Iran placed mines in international and Omani waters following a war outbreak. The mission, carried out amid ongoing strikes between the US and Iran, involved Navy SEAL divers and unmanned vessels working at night.
The operation's objective was to make the strait safer for commercial vessels that avoided it since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. President Donald Trump claimed all mines were removed from the strait's international waters, a claim later confirmed by the US military. Despite advanced technology, divers still had to destroy mines directly.
The process is time-consuming and dangerous, even in peacetime. Some shipping companies and maritime advisers remain unsure if the entire Strait of Hormuz is cleared, as small-boat traffic could easily re-deploy mines. Iran maintains the perception of controlling the strait as its strongest strategic leverage.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
