Following the collapse of peace negotiations between the United States and Iran over the weekend, President Trump has instructed the US military to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz and eliminate the mines planted by Tehran.
This crucial waterway, responsible for 20% of global oil shipments, has been inaccessible since the conflict erupted on February 28, as Iran has strategically placed dangerous underwater mines throughout the strait.
To ensure the safe reopening of this key passage and the resumption of international trade, the United States plans to mobilize its navy alongside allied forces to deploy minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump announced on Sunday.
“We currently have minesweepers in operation,” Trump shared during an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
He elaborated, “Our arsenal includes highly advanced underwater minesweepers, which are state-of-the-art, but we’re also utilizing more conventional minesweepers.”
Trump further mentioned, “The UK, along with several other nations, is contributing minesweepers. Many countries lack this capability.”
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said operations to clear the Strait of Hormuz began on Saturday after two American destroyers passed through the waters for the first time since the war began.
The US Navy will be deploying “underwater drones” to locate Iran’s mines and take them out “in the coming days,” CENTCOM added.
The US military has several underwater UAVs capable of traversing the strait, including the 1,7000 pound Knifefish drone, developed by General Dynamics.
“The Knifefish UUV provides the mine warfare commander with enhanced mine-hunting capability by detecting, classifying and identifying both buried mines and mines in high clutter environments,” according to the company.
The navy is also equipped with the Mod 2 Kingfish, a missile-shaped drone outfitted with sonar that scans the ocean floor for potential mines.
Along with the underwater drones, the navy also has the MH-60S helicopters, which are equipped with the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) and Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS).
The systems allow the choppers to quickly locate underwater mines in the area and send out small warheads to detonate the explosive, according to the Navy.
“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,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement.
More than 2,000 ships have been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, with only a handful of boats crossing each day after negotiating with Iran.
Trump slammed the move as “world extortion,” vowing to open the waterway and use US destroyers to escort commerce ships threatened by Iran’s retaliation.
