U.S. Military Announces Mine Clearance Operations in the Strait of Hormuz
On April 11, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Shi Chun and Xu Xingtang) that at noon Eastern Time on the 11th, the U.S. Central Command posted on social media, stating that two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers crossed the Strait of Hormuz that day, and the U.S. military began creating conditions for mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Central Command stated that the USS Frank E. Petersen and USS Michael Murphy destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are operating in the Persian Gulf as part of the mission to completely clear the mines laid by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the strait.
Central Command Commander Brad Cooper said, "Today, we are initiating the process of opening a new shipping lane."
The Central Command stated that in the coming days, more U.S. military forces, including underwater unmanned vehicles, will join the mine clearance operations.
Two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, 2023, to initiate mine-clearing operations. This mission aims to eliminate mines placed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, with additional U.S. forces, including unmanned underwater vehicles, expected to join in the following days.
- Two U.S. Navy destroyers crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
- The operation aims to clear mines laid by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
- More U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the operation in the coming days.
- The operation is part of a broader effort to secure maritime navigation.