US Navy starts clearing mines in Strait of Hormuz as ships begin to pass through
Daily News Article — Posted on April 14, 2026
(JNS) – U.S. Central Command has begun a maritime operation to clear sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz as 34 ships passed through the strait, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump stated on Monday that “34 ships went through the Strait of Hormuz [on Sunday], which is by far the highest number since this foolish closure began.”
Two U.S. Navy destroyers—the USS Frank E. Peterson and the USS Michael Murphy— already transited the strait on Saturday and are operating in the Persian Gulf as part of the effort to “ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps,” according to CENTCOM.
“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 CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper.
Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days, CENTCOM said.
The news comes as CENTCOM began its blockade on maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on Monday. The blockade “will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports,” CENTCOM stated.
Published at JNS on April 13. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.
US Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians are specialized military experts across all branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) trained to detect, identify, render safe, and dispose of conventional, chemical, biological, nuclear, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) worldwide. They handle high-stakes threats, protecting personnel and infrastructure during both combat and peacetime missions. Watch the first video which includes an interview with Tom Sauer, a former EOD officer and mine expert.
VIDEO #1
The following video details the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, which began on Monday:
VIDEO #2
Questions
NOTE: The questions are based on the two videos above.
VIDEO #1
1. How will the U.S. ensure that there are no mines in the Strait of Hormuz?
2. President Trump said a lot of countries don't have minesweepers, but notes that Iran has mine droppers.
How many mine droppers do they have?
3. Mine specialist Tom Sauer, a former EOD officer, says there are about 12 moored mines. How does he describe moored mines?
4. What other types of mines are there, according to Mr. Sauer?
5. While mine sweeping is good, what does Mr. Sauer say is also a necessary way to eradicate the mines?
6. What technology are they bringing in soon?
Ulysses' mass produced inexpensive mine hunting drones that can be deployed to find all these mines.
7. How long does he say it will take to find all of the mines? - and how does it work
VIDEO #2:
8. Name 3 types of military equipment the U.S. has to detect mines/explosives.
9. Our European allies (who are also our NATO partners) have so far refused to assist the U.S. The U.K. (Prime Minister Keir Starmer) was one of the first countries to declare that it’s not going to help the U.S. in its blockade on the strait.
Are any countries going to assist us in locating the mines Iran dropped into the strait?
10. What are President Trump's objectives for blockading the Strait of Hormuz?
11. Iran said they would open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a ceasefire, but they lied. We gave them a 2 week ceasefire but they set up a toll all ships passing through the Strait have to pay. Trump turned the table on them by announcing our own blockade of the Strait. What do you think of this latest move?
12. What would happen if the U.S. gave up the Strait to Iran's control?
13. What other news was announced about over 100 empty tankers?
14. What word best describes your reaction to the U.S. blockade of the Strait and the type of military equipment and excellence of our military experts? (inspired, encouraged, amazed, apathetic) Explain your answer.
Background
From India's Times Now News, March-11-2026