It has become increasingly clear that the Strait of Hormuz will never fall under Iranian control as a solitary domain.
Earlier today, my veteran colleague and friend, Strieff, shared the news of the successful passage through the Strait of Hormuz by two United States Navy destroyers: the USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).
Following this, Central Command, responsible for overseeing U.S. military operations in the region, has revealed plans to initiate mine-clearing activities in the area.
According to their announcement:
The operation will utilize both surface vessels and underwater drones to effectively clear mines.
This development presents several intriguing aspects worth considering.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations.
USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.
Reportedly, both surface ships and underwater drones will be employed in the minesweeping operation.
There are a few interesting points to note in this matter.
First, consider the current cease-fire. We may not be conducting offensive operations against Iran; at least, not at the moment, although it is for sure and for certain that every ship, every aircraft, and every drone launcher is cocked, locked, and ready to resume the attack the moment someone in the chain of command yells “Go!” But this isn’t an offensive operation. This is simply the United States Navy doing what it has done since World War 2, namely, ensuring free passage of shipping in the world’s commerce lanes. The Strait of Hormuz is a pretty vital commerce lane. So, if Iran has sown any mines in the Strait, we will remove them.
Second, consider the state of mind of what remains of the ruling goblins in Tehran right now, after hearing of this minesweeping exercise, and you can bet your bottom dollar they have heard of it. This was about their only tool for trying to close the Strait. Their navy is now rusting on the bottom of the ocean. Their aircraft are no longer in a position to even be torn down for spare parts, instead being scattered across the landscape as scrap. If we can go in with our own vaunted tech, and undersea mine-hunting drones would seem to be a pretty new thing, that’s just piling on the frustrations for the mullahs and their minions. It’s a good way for us to stick our red, white, and blue thumb in their eye, and that’s worth doing, every day and twice on Sunday.
Finally, this is a message to every other nation in the area: We aren’t going away.
There is as yet no word when minesweeping operations will begin, nor should there be – operational security actually matters to this administration, and they have shown themselves to be pretty darn good at it. But a safe bet is on “pretty soon.”
