Strait of Hormuz Shipping Lanes Declared Open After U.S. Mine-Clearing Operation
GlobalWorld News | World News & International Affairs The United States says international shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared of Iranian sea mines, marking a significant development in efforts to restore commercial navigation through the strategically important waterway. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces had successfully cleared mines from established international shipping routes and that commercial vessels could now use the newly cleared passage. According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces have assisted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels in transiting the Strait of Hormuz in recent months. The ships reportedly carried approximately 750 million barrels of crude oil destined for global markets. U.S. Forces Maintain Security Operations The mine-clearance operation involved U.S. Navy divers, special operations forces and aircraft from different branches of the U.S. military, according to CENTCOM. Adm. Cooper said the United ...