U.S. Clears 11 Iranian Mines From Hormuz Lanes as Oil Flows Stay Near 5 Million Bpd
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 31
U.S. Clears 11 Iranian Mines From Hormuz Lanes as Oil Flows Stay Near 5 Million Bpd
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 31
Summary
Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces spent months clearing Iranian sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz’s recognized shipping lanes, reopening commercial transit under U.S. protection.
Nearly 1,500 commercial vessels carrying about 750 million barrels of crude were escorted during the effort, which used Navy divers, SEALs and air power while the Navy was between older mine ships and newer unmanned systems.
Axios reported U.S. forces swept more than 200 mine-like objects from the main lane, but only 11 were actual mines; CENTCOM has not confirmed the count or disclosed how they were neutralized.
The Strait still carries a "SEVERE" threat rating, with warnings of drifting or uncharted mines and recent tanker strikes near Oman, even though the advisory predates Cooper’s update.
Oil flows were about 5 million barrels a day versus more than 20 million before the war, showing that cleared lanes have not yet restored normal traffic through the waterway.