US President Donald Trump has claimed that all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz have been removed or detonated. At the same time, he has warned that if any new mines are laid, the relevant ships or vessels will be destroyed.

In a post on the social media Truth Social, Trump said that the US Navy informed him that ‘all mines have been removed or destroyed by detonation’ within the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, “Iran has been informed that any ship or vessel that lays any new mines will be immediately and consistently destroyed.”

Trump also said, “The zero tolerance policy for laying mines is in full effect.”

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy transportation routes. This narrow waterway, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, transports a large amount of crude oil, oil products and liquefied natural gas (LNG) every day. As a result, military tensions or disruptions to shipping in this waterway could have an immediate impact on fuel supplies and prices in the global market.

Naval mines pose a particular risk to maritime trade and shipping. Specialized minesweepers and other vessels are used to detect and remove these underwater explosives. If a mine explodes, it can cause extensive damage to ships, loss of life and the closure of important waterways.

Trump's latest statement comes at a time when tensions between the United States and Iran are high over the Strait of Hormuz. Washington fears that the global energy supply system could be in a major crisis if mines are placed in the strait or navigation is disrupted in any other way.

According to the US President, even if the mine clearance work in international waters is completed, the US will take strong military action if any new mines are laid. It is feared that this may further complicate the maritime security situation around the Strait of Hormuz.

However, as of the time of writing, there has been no independent detailed verification or separate statement from the US Navy regarding Trump's claim. As a result, it is not clear exactly which areas of international waters have been cleared of mines and how many mines have been cleared or deactivated.

Source: Al Jazeera