How US used Navy divers, underwater drones to clear Strait of Hormuz mines

In a covert operation, US Navy divers and SEALs, backed by robotic boats and advanced underwater craft, worked for four months to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. These mines were reportedly planted by Iran after the US-Israeli war began in February. The US aimed to remove these mines, which control a waterway through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passed before the conflict.

However, the mission was far from simple, as Iran could still pose a threat through missiles and drones, and US authorities must convince shipping companies that the route is secure enough to reopen.

The operation combined divers with unmanned technology. Unmanned surface vessels and underwater vehicles equipped with high-resolution sonar searched the seabed for suspicious objects. Once a mine was detected, small teams of divers operating from inflatable boats approached and neutralized the threat. Robotic underwater craft were also used to destroy mines.

This covert mission, reported by the Financial Times, was conducted mostly at night and involved small teams rather than a large conventional mine-clearing force. No US casualties have been reported.

While the US cleared the southern section near Oman, where commercial vessels were directed, there is less certainty about the entire Strait of Hormuz. Iran maintains that only Tehran knows the exact locations of the mines, exploiting the uncertainty. Maritime authorities have reported no confirmed mine strikes during the conflict, though satellite imagery and Iranian claims suggest otherwise.

The only confirmed mine sighting was by a Pakistani survey vessel in May. Iran claimed a supertanker struck two naval mines while attempting to use an unauthorized route south of Hormuz, though this has not been confirmed.

The US faces another challenge: even a cleared route can be reopened by Iran, which could deploy new mines or employ missile and drone attacks. War-risk insurance for ships has soared, potentially reaching $10 million for a typical supertanker, indicating that fear can be as effective as a mine in disrupting Hormuz. The battle is both physical and psychological, with economic factors playing a crucial role.

Simultaneously, the US is making the region more perilous for Iran’s own oil trade. On September 5, US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at American warships. Two tankers were permanently disabled, and one was destroyed, marking a significant shift in strategy. United States switched from sanctions to a physical blockade, adding another layer of risk.

Oil exports from Iran have plummeted, falling to 220,000-255,000 barrels per day by August, compared to 740,000 bpd in July and near 2 million bpd before the conflict.

Together, these operations illustrate Washington’s multifaceted strategy. The US aims to make the southern Hormuz corridor safer for international commerce while using sanctions, a naval blockade, and tanker strikes to escalate the cost of exporting Iranian oil. However, this strategy carries inherent risks. As Washington tightens its grip on Iran’s oil-export system, Tehran may be more inclined to retaliate against the broader shipping and Gulf energy sectors.

The battle for Hormuz thus extends beyond clearing mines; it encompasses maintaining the safety of shipping lanes and preventing Iran from escalating the conflict further. The US must ensure the Strait of Hormuz is safe enough for global shipping while simultaneously deterring Iran from re-mining the waters. This delicate balance is crucial to stabilizing the region and averting a broader escalation.