Trump says Strait of Hormuz has been demined, warns Iran not to plant more

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated, warning Iran that any vessel attempting to lay fresh mines in the strategically important waterway would be destroyed.

Trump said the United States was closely monitoring the Strait, one of the world's most important energy transit routes, and had communicated its warning to Tehran. The declaration comes even as attacks on vessels continue and commercial traffic through the narrow passage remains severely depressed by the months-long conflict.

Trump issues warning

In a social media post, Trump said Washington had imposed a “zero tolerance” approach towards the placement of new mines in the Strait. He said US surveillance capabilities, including the Space Force, were monitoring activity throughout the waterway.

Trump warned that any Iranian ship or boat caught placing mines would face destruction, signalling that Washington intends to maintain pressure on Tehran despite the absence of direct US-Iranian air strikes in recent weeks.

The assertion that the Strait has been cleared comes amid efforts to restore safer navigation through waters that previously handled a substantial share of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Oil flows remain depressed

Despite Trump's announcement, energy movements through the Strait remain far below their levels before the conflict. Provisional ship-tracking data showed oil transits at around five million barrels per day on Monday, compared with more than 20 million barrels per day before the war.

Before hostilities, roughly one in every five barrels of oil consumed worldwide passed through the Strait, making disruptions there a major risk for international energy markets.

The sharp fall in traffic has affected Gulf energy exports and contributed to higher shipping risks and costs. Tankers operating in the region continue to face threats even as Washington and Tehran have refrained from major direct military strikes against each other for weeks.

An oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile near the entrance to the Strait on Tuesday, underscoring the continuing security risks facing commercial vessels.

Diplomatic efforts continue

Trump's warning comes alongside tentative diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing another major escalation. Iran and Oman have discussed a proposal for a temporary navigation corridor through the Strait as well as plans for mine clearance.

Pakistan has also been involved in mediation, with officials saying recent discussions in Tehran made progress towards preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait and finding a negotiated route out of the conflict.

However, tensions remain high after Washington expanded sanctions targeting Iran-linked individuals, companies and vessels. Tehran has condemned the measures and warned of retaliation if its infrastructure comes under attack.

Restoring normal shipping through Hormuz remains crucial for global energy markets. While Trump's announcement suggests progress in clearing mines from international waters, continuing attacks and the steep reduction in tanker traffic indicate that normal commercial operations through the Strait are yet to return.