Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise as US Says 2 Warships Began Mine-Clearing Mission, Iran Rejects Claim

The Strait of Hormuz returned to the centre of global attention on Saturday after the United States claimed two of its Navy warships had crossed the strategic waterway to begin mine-clearance operations, a move Iran swiftly denied. The latest development comes amid the fragile ceasefire following the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, with tensions still high over one of the world's most vital oil shipping routes.

CENTCOM says two destroyers began mine-clearance mission

US Central Command said the USS Frank E. Peterson and the USS Michael Murphy, both guided-missile destroyers, were involved in the operation to help reopen safe maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz. The US military also indicated that "additional US forces including underwater drones" could be deployed in the coming days as the effort expands.

CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said, "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."

The announcement marked the first such reported transit since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran and followed a separate statement by President Donald Trump, who said Washington had begun "clearing out" the strait.

Iran rejects US account, warns of action against military vessels

Tehran strongly pushed back against the US claim, insisting that no such military passage had taken place. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari told state television that the movement of vessels in the area remains under Iran's control.

"The initiative for the passage of any vessel lies with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he was quoted as saying.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB later cited the Revolutionary Guards' Navy Command as issuing a sharper warning, stating, "Any attempt by military vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will be dealt with severely."

According to the same statement, passage through the waterway would only be "granted to civilian vessels under specific conditions."

Trump says US is 'clearing out' the strategic oil route

Earlier in the day, Trump posted on social media that the United States was "starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz," framing the effort as support for global trade partners reliant on the route.

He described it as "a favor" to countries such as China, Japan and France that "don't have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves."

Trump also claimed Iran is "LOSING BIG!" in the conflict, though he acknowledged the continued danger posed by sea mines in the area.

"The only thing they have going is the threat that a ship may 'bunk' into one of their sea mines," Trump wrote.

Strait remains critical as diplomacy unfolds

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global crude oil supply passes, has remained effectively choked since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28. Although reopening the passage was understood to be part of the uneasy ceasefire reached earlier this week, the latest exchange shows the route remains deeply contested.

Meanwhile, senior Iranian and American officials met face-to-face in Pakistan on Saturday in an effort to halt the conflict, which has already rattled the Middle East and triggered wider economic concerns. In another post, Trump said empty tankers were heading towards the United States to buy oil, though he did not provide further details.