The United States Central Command announced on Saturday that it has launched operations to begin de-mining the Strait of Hormuz, according to a social media post highlighted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Central Command said that two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers—the USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG-121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112)—began “setting conditions” for the mission on Saturday morning. According to CENTCOM, both ships have previously operated in the Arabian Gulf in missions related to maritime security and efforts to counter the threat of sea mines reportedly placed in the region.
U.S. Central Command also stated that the objective of the operation is to establish a safe maritime passage through the strait and to share that route with commercial shipping operators. The aim, officials said, is to support the “free flow of commerce” through one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global trade, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil consumption passing through it daily. Because of its strategic importance, any disruption in the waterway has immediate effects on global energy prices and shipping stability.
The report also placed the operation in the context of ongoing regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The passage describes a period of conflict marked by strikes, counterstrikes, and heightened security risks in the Gulf, including accusations that Iranian forces, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have deployed mines and targeted regional infrastructure.
The article further notes that these conditions had previously made navigation through the strait extremely hazardous, contributing to spikes in global oil prices and disruptions in energy markets. It also references recent political developments, including temporary pauses in fighting and renewed diplomatic contacts between U.S. and Iranian officials, amid ongoing uncertainty over the stability of any ceasefire arrangement.
Overall, the report portrays the de-mining operation as part of a broader effort to stabilize maritime security in a strategically vital but highly contested international waterway.
