The United States has begun preliminary work to remove mines in the Strait of Hormuz, accelerating efforts to secure the sea lane. Some interpret this as a sign that Iran's de facto control over the strait is wavering.
On the 11th (local time), the Telegraph in the United Kingdom reported, citing U.S. Central Command, that a U.S. Navy destroyer had entered the Strait of Hormuz to begin setting conditions for mine removal. According to U.S. Central Command, two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers (USS Frank E. Petersen, USS Michael Murphy) passed through the strait that day and conducted operations around the Arabian Gulf.
U.S. Central Command chief Brad Cooper said, "We have begun work to establish new safe routes" and "will share them with the shipping industry soon to facilitate the free flow of commercial activity."
The operation is seen as going beyond simple mine removal to an attempt by the United States to secure leadership over the shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a key energy artery through which 20% to 30% of the world's crude oil shipments pass. Iran has effectively controlled the strait by using mines, drones and small fast boats.
But with the U.S. military directly deploying destroyers to pioneer routes and establish safe corridors, some say Iran's "strait blockade card" is weakening.
Iran flatly denies the U.S. announcement. According to foreign media, Iran countered that the very claim that U.S. warships actually passed through the strait is not true.