Trump says US cleared all Hormuz mines, warns Iran of swift response

President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform on Tuesday to say that the United States Navy had removed or detonated every mine it had located in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz. In the same post he warned that any vessel trying to lay additional mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed.”

“I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz.”

Media additions

Donald Trump, President, via Moneycontrol

“Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed.”

Donald Trump, President, via Moneycontrol

“Through Space Force, we are watching every square inch of the Strait.”

Donald Trump, President, via Moneycontrol

“There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect.”

Donald Trump, President, via Moneycontrol

Trump’s statements came amid a broader U.S. Effort to tighten economic pressure on Tehran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an expanded sanctions campaign aimed at cutting off Iran’s financial lifelines, describing the strategy as “economic asphyxiation.”

“Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone.”

Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, via Moneycontrol

The Treasury Department named 60 individuals, companies and vessels as targets for the new sanctions, citing activities that help Iran generate oil revenues, procure weapons and conduct cyber operations.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the conflict. Maritime tracker Kpler reported that Iranian oil exports through the strait have fallen from about two million barrels per day before the war to around 0.4 million barrels per day by mid‑August, after a U.S. Naval blockade was imposed.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a bulk carrier attempting to leave the strait was struck by an unidentified projectile, resulting in one casualty and damage to its engine room. The incident was recorded as the eighth vessel attack in the strait during the month.

“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran.”

Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary, via Moneycontrol

Iran continues to dispute Washington’s characterisation of the waterway, maintaining that the strait remains closed to commercial traffic.

Regional diplomatic activity also intensified. Iran and Oman issued a joint statement announcing a proposal to create a temporary navigational corridor through the strait and to cooperate on a project to clear any remaining mines.

“The proposed framework includes the establishment of a joint temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and an agreement to implement a joint project to clear the Strait of mines.”

Fox News

“In this context, both sides underscored the importance of convening joint discussions with regional states bordering the waters of the Gulf.”

Fox News

Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir met with Iranian leaders in Tehran, discussing measures to prevent further escalation and the reopening of the strait.

While Trump’s post cites “Zero Tolerance” and Space Force monitoring, no separate public statement from the U.S. Navy confirming the mine‑clearance operation has been identified in early reports.

Timeline of recent developments

• Early August 2026 – UKMTO records eight vessel attacks in the strait, including a bulk carrier hit by an unidentified projectile.
• Mid‑August 2026 – Kpler reports Iranian oil exports falling to about 0.4 million barrels per day.
• 25 August 2026 – President Trump announces via Truth Social that all mines have been cleared and reiterates the “Zero Tolerance” warning.
• 25 August 2026 – Iran and Oman release a joint statement on a temporary navigational corridor and a joint mines‑clearing project.
• 25 August 2026 – Treasury Secretary Bessent unveils sanctions targeting 60 entities; Defense Secretary Hegseth signals that kinetic action has not been ruled out.

What to watch next

• Implementation of the U.S. Sanctions package and its impact on Iran’s oil‑revenue streams.
• Progress on the Iran‑Oman temporary corridor and any technical negotiations toward a permanent navigation arrangement.
• Potential U.S. Naval deployments or kinetic strikes should new mines be detected.
• Further diplomatic moves by regional actors, including Pakistan and other Gulf states, aimed at de‑escalation.

Because the U.S. Navy has not issued an independent confirmation of the mine‑clearance operation, analysts caution that the strategic picture remains fluid. Iran’s stance that the waterway remains closed, coupled with ongoing commercial‑vessel incidents, suggests that the risk environment in the strait will continue to be closely monitored.