{"id":20570,"date":"2026-04-25T04:11:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T04:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/20570\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T04:11:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T04:11:30","slug":"u-s-efforts-to-prevent-iranian-mine-laying-in-strait-of-hormuz-underway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/20570\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Efforts To Prevent Iranian Mine Laying In Strait Of Hormuz Underway"},"content":{"rendered":"

A day after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to destroy Iranian ships<\/a> laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday said efforts to prevent mining are already underway.<\/p>\n

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) \u201chas a variety of smaller Boston Whaler-size boats,\u201d Air Force Gen. Dan Caine told reporters, including from The War Zone, during a Friday morning media briefing. \u201cWe have forces up there deterring and preventing them from continuing to [lay mines], and will continue to do so pursuant to the orders of the Secretary and the President.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can hear Caine\u2019s comments on Iranian mining at the 23-minute mark in the following video.<\/p>\n

Caine did not offer specifics about what assets are involved, when they arrived or what actions they have taken. The Pentagon and CENTCOM have declined to comment. A U.S. official, however, did provide us with some additional information.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran likely placed some mines in or near the Strait at some point during the conflict,\u201d the official told us, speaking anonymously to discuss operational details. \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about a high volume. In fact, more than 95% of Iran\u2019s naval mines were destroyed during Operation Epic Fury.\u201d<\/p>\n

U.S. forces \u201care actively addressing the matter using a combination of manned and unmanned capabilities to ensure passage through the Strait is safe.\u201d The official declined to say if the U.S. is actively searching for mines already laid or provide further details. In our story yesterday<\/a>, we spelled out what assets the Navy has for its surface fleet to conduct demining operations, though it remains unclear how many are in the region. You can read more about that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As we noted, the Independence class littoral combat ship USS Canberra is the only confirmed mine sweeper currently in CENTCOM, according to a post on the Pentagon\u2019s image sharing site<\/a> that shows the ship patrolling in the Arabian Sea.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Independence class littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) patrols the Arabian Sea during a maritime blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, April 17, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo) NAVCENT Public Affairs<\/p>\n

As we have frequently reported<\/a>, the IRGC has invested heavily in its fleet of small boats for decades. In addition to being armed with short-range anti-ship missiles<\/a>, as well as artillery rockets and other weapons<\/a>, they can also be used to lay naval mines. While the president claimed that 159 Iranian ships have been destroyed, the IRGC still has a large number of these small vessels.<\/p>\n

War Secretary Pete Hegseth, also speaking at the briefing, said \u201creckless mining like that is a violation of the cease fire.\u201d He declined to say how long it will take to clear the Strait of mines.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would not speculate on a timeline,\u201d he proffered in response to a question about a Washington Post story<\/a> claiming Congress was informed it could take up to six months to do so. \u201cWe feel confident in our ability, in the correct period of time, to clear any mines that we identify, and we encourage other countries to be a part of such an effort as well. But we\u2019re tracking that very closely.\u201d<\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t clear why these efforts to keep small boats from mining the Strait have not been persistent and ongoing from early in the conflict, but especially now that Iran professes control over the strategic waterway. However, Hegseth derided the IRGC as a fighting force.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran\u2019s battered military, the IRGC, specifically, has been reduced to a gang of pirates with a flag,\u201d the secretary scowled.<\/p>\n

Sec. Of War Pete Hegseth: “The IRGC specifically has been reduced to a gang of pirates with a flag\u2026 They know that we, the United States of America, control the flow of global shipping \u2014 and we know that they know. Their real navy is at the bottom of the Arabian Gulf.” pic.twitter.com\/94HNDITkMn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

UPDATES<\/p>\n

Caine offered some new details about the three Iranian-linked ships the U.S. interdicted this week. Those efforts started Sunday with the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska<\/a>, which was fired upon and later boarded.<\/p>\n

At about 9 a.m. EDT on Sunday, the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Spruance \u201cdisabled the Touska\u2018s engine by firing nine inert rounds from the destroyer\u2019s Mk-45 5-inch gun<\/a> precisely into the engine room and engine space on board the Touska,\u201d he explained. Seven hours later, CENTCOM gave the command for Marines to fast-rope in from helicopters and \u201cseize the shot,\u201d Caine added.<\/p>\n

.@thejointstaff<\/a> Chairman Gen. Dan Caine: As of this morning, 34 ships have met the U.S. blockade and made the wise choice to turn around. One ship did not. Over several hours this past Sunday, the U.S. conducted maritime interdiction operations against the Touska, whose crew\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GG5UxxDACa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

China on Friday pushed back against Trump\u2019s claim that the Touska contained a \u201cgift from China perhaps.\u201d The president made that claim earlier this week on CNBC<\/a>. .<\/p>\n

\u201cChina rejects any assertion and speculation that lack factual evidence,\u201d the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded. \u201cNormal trade between countries should not be disrupted.\u201d<\/p>\n

MFA Spokesperson\u2019s response to President Trump\u2019s remarks that the Iranian cargo ship intercepted by the U.S. might have carried a \u201cgift\u201d from China:<\/p>\n

China rejects any assertion and speculation that lack factual evidence. Normal trade between countries should not be disrupted. pic.twitter.com\/0aGAa7174N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CHINA MFA Spokesperson \u4e2d\u56fd\u5916\u4ea4\u90e8\u53d1\u8a00\u4eba (@MFA_China) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Touska was carrying \u201cvital dialysis supplies and medical equipment,\u201d Al Jazeera reported on X, citing the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The War Zone cannot independently verify that claim.<\/p>\n

Caine also addressed the fate of two other Iranian-linked ships \u2013 the Tifani<\/a> and the Majestic X<\/a> \u2013 that were stopped in the Indian Ocean this week. The vessels and their crews \u201cremain in U.S. custody, and we will continue to conduct similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans against Iranian ships and vessels of the Dark Fleet,\u201d Caine noted.<\/p>\n

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, said the Tifani and Majestic X each contained 1.9 million barrels of oil.<\/p>\n

Overnight, pursuant to a seizure warrant submitted by my office and signed by a federal magistrate, U.S. forces interdicted the dark fleet vessel, M\/T Majestic (formerly known as the M\/T Phonix), while carrying approximately 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean.\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) April 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd told us that one of its ships has recently transited the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor security reasons, we will not comment on the timing or provide further details regarding this passage or on individual ships still in the Persian Gulf,\u201d the company explained. \u201cWhat we can tell you is that of the original six ships, we currently have four remaining in the Persian Gulf with approximately 100 seafarers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety of our crews remains our highest priority,\u201d Hapag-Lloyd\u2019s spokesperson added. \u201cWe are in close contact with the vessels, local authorities and naval forces, and continue to monitor the situation closely. At this moment, it is not possible to predict any change of this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall, global trade intelligence firm Kpler\u2019s Risk & Compliance tracker showed that transits through the Strait of Hormuz continue to be reduced.<\/p>\n

Between April 22 and 23, \u201ctraffic remained low at 17 crossings of both commercial and non-commercial vessels, well below pre-crisis levels,\u201d Kpler stated. \u201cOngoing monitoring provides critical insight into supply flows and potential disruption risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strait of Hormuz | Daily Vessel Crossings: <\/p>\n

Kpler\u2019s Risk & Compliance tracker provides daily monitoring of vessel activity through one of the world\u2019s most strategic maritime routes. Across 22\u201323 April, traffic remained low at 17 crossings of both commercial and non-commercial\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/8J0pE4XjO7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kpler (@Kpler) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Oil output from Persian Gulf nations has been running 14.5 million barrels a day below pre-war levels this month, Bloomberg News reported<\/a>, citing Goldman Sachs Group Inc.<\/a>, which estimated any resumption would take months.<\/p>\n

The region-wide total is 57% lower than before the outbreak of the Iran war, analysts including Daan Struyven said in an April 23 note. A possible restoration would likely take \u201ca few months,\u201d a scenario based on a full-and-safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and no renewed strikes, according to Goldman Sachs.<\/p>\n

Goldman: Oil output from Persian Gulf nations has been running 14.5 million barrels a day below pre-war levels this month. The region-wide total is 57% lower than before the outbreak of the Iran war. A possible restoration would likely take \u201ca few months,\u201d a scenario based on a\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Annmarie Hordern (@annmarie) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia has \u201cachieved a huge boost in crude exports through its Red Sea terminals, but has yet to stabilize flows at its target level for the route,\u201d Bloomberg also noted<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shipments of crude to overseas destinations from Yanbu \u201chave averaged about 4 million barrels a day in the first three weeks of April,\u201d data compiled by the outlet show. \u201cThat\u2019s about five times as much as Saudi Arabia exported on the route before the conflict in Iran started, but still only about 80% of Riyadh\u2019s target.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia has achieved a huge boost in crude exports through its Red Sea terminals, but has yet to stabilize flows at its target level for the route. https:\/\/t.co\/uzIybMCFqk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bloomberg (@business) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

CENTCOM provided some additional context to the arrival yesterday of the aircraft carrier <\/a>USS George H.W. Bush into the region.<\/p>\n

Joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R Ford, it marks the first time since 2003 that there were three carriers in the area of responsibility since 2003. Combined, the three carrier strike groups have 200 aircraft, nine Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers, and 15,000 sailors and Marines.<\/p>\n

For the first time in decades, three aircraft carriers are operating in the Middle East at the same time. Accompanied by their carrier air wings, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) include over 200 aircraft and 15,000\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/fbMdz1IYn8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

There may be some movement toward new talks to end the war. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the U.S. is sending a negotiating team to Pakistan where Iran\u2019s foreign minister is already headed. The swiftly moving situation follows on the heels of previous diplomatic efforts that failed to end the 55-day-old conflict.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can confirm that Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks, direct talks \u2013 intermediated by the Pakistanis who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process \u2013 with representatives of the Iranian delegation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Iranians want to talk,\u201d Leavitt told reporters. \u201cThey want to talk in person. And so the president is, as I\u2019ve said many, many times, to all of you, always willing to give diplomacy a chance. So Steve and Jared will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow to hear the Iranians out. We hope progress will be made, and we hope that positive developments will come from this meeting, and we will see that the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, will be waiting here in the United States for updates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vice President JD Vance, she added,\u201dis on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it\u2019s a necessary use of his time.\u201d<\/p>\n

CNN reported<\/a> that Witkoff and Kushner will \u201cparticipate in talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scoop: Trump is sending his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan to participate in talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, two administration officials tell CNN.<\/p>\n

VP JD Vance is not currently planning to attend given Iran’s Speaker of the\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The move to send a U.S. team to Pakistan follows Araghchi\u2019s announcement earlier on Friday that he will head to Pakistan Friday night and then to Oman and Russia to \u201cclosely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow.<\/p>\n

Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments.<\/p>\n

Our neighbors are our priority.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

At the time of Araghchi\u2019s announcement, it was believed that the Iranian delegation was not expected to speak with US representatives, CNN reported<\/a>, citing a U.S. source and Iranian state media. However, \u201cthe Pakistanis anticipate the meeting will lead to a second round of talks between the US and Iran,\u201d the cable network suggested.<\/p>\n

All this follows a second round of peace talks that failed to materialize<\/a> this week after Iran declined to send negotiators to Islamabad. However, Trump extended the ceasefire to what has been reported to be<\/a> sometime over this weekend. As we discussed yesterday<\/a>, a large reason for Iran\u2019s reluctance to talk may be a schism between hardliners in the IRGC and more moderate elements of the government like Araghchi. While Trump is pushing that narrative<\/a>, Iranian officials are pushing back, claiming no such divide exists.<\/p>\n

In response to Trump\u2019s claim that there are divisions among Iranian officials, the country\u2019s authorities released a joint statement, whose translation was also shared in a tweet by President Pezeshkian<\/p>\n

\"\ufffd\ufffd\"<\/p>\n

\ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n

https:\/\/t.co\/DnhWk9l9KD<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/miTVh211a4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Another factor that may be contributing to Iran\u2019s lack of a concrete response to U.S. demands may be the condition of its putative leader. A reporter from The New York Times said that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was so badly injured on the first day of Epic Fury that his face and lips are burned to the point where he has trouble speaking and that one of his legs may have been amputated.<\/p>\n

NYT reporter says Supreme Leader Khamenei\u2019s face is severely burned, he has trouble speaking and may need a prosthetic leg. She also says he uses a long chain of human couriers to send hand-written messages from hiding. pic.twitter.com\/f9dyjuDBIK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Pakistan says Araghchi called its Deputy Prime Minister\/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar today.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement,\u201d Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Ministry stated on X. Dar \u201cunderscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues, in order to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest. Araghchi appreciated Pakistan\u2019s consistent and constructive facilitation role in this regard, and both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.\u201d<\/p>\n

DPM\/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50<\/a> received a call today from Foreign Minister of Iran H.E. Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/eJ1fuVTVKE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ministry of Foreign Affairs \u2013 Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Saudi Arabia today, where he said he had a \u201cvery productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe appreciate our constructive cooperation,\u201d Zelensky stated on X. \u201cThere is a strategic security arrangement that we are actively developing across three key areas. The first is the export of Ukrainian security expertise and capabilities in air defense. The second is energy cooperation, which makes Ukraine more resilient in this difficult time. The third is the area of food security. We are working together to strengthen our peoples and our partners. We have set tasks for our teams, and I expect their prompt and full implementation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Last month, Zelensky said he inked 10-year defense cooperation agreements<\/a> with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.<\/p>\n

A very productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. We appreciate our constructive cooperation. There is a strategic security arrangement that we are actively developing across three key areas.<\/p>\n

The first is the export of Ukrainian\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Uc7fVXBHSs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

After suffering through intense Iranian missile and drone barrages, UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said it will take a long time to reconcile with Tehran.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t be attacked with 2,800 missiles and drones then talk to me about trust,\u201d he stated. \u201cThat will take ages and ages.\u201d<\/p>\n

UAE President MbZ\u2019s Advisor Anwar Gargash on Iran: <\/p>\n

You can\u2019t be attacked with 2,800 missiles and drones then talk to me about trust. That will take ages and ages. pic.twitter.com\/ComhPnA7fz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

An internal Pentagon email \u201coutlines options for the United States to \u200bpunish NATO allies it believes failed to support U.S. operations in the war with Iran, including suspending Spain from the alliance and reviewing the U.S. position on Britain\u2019s claim to the Falkland Islands,\u201d Reuters reported<\/a>. It based the information on what it was told by a U.S. official.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe policy options are detailed in a note expressing frustration at some allies\u2019 perceived reluctance or refusal to grant the United States access, basing and overflight rights \u2013 known as ABO \u2013 for the Iran war,\u201d the news outlet added, citing the anonymous official.<\/p>\n

However, an alliance official told us that \u201cNATO\u2019s Founding Treaty does not foresee any provision for suspension of NATO membership, or expulsion.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Trump and CENTCOM say Iran\u2019s ability to produce weapons has been destroyed during Epic Fury, Tehran says otherwise.<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s Defense Ministry says \u201cthe Islamic Republic will continue producing military equipment and that it is fully prepared to meet the armed forces\u2019 needs in all scenarios, including war and peacetime conditions,\u201d Iran\u2019s official Press TV news outlet claimed on X.<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s Defense Ministry says the Islamic Republic will continue producing military equipment and that it is fully prepared to meet the armed forces\u2019 needs in all scenarios, including war and peacetime conditions.<\/p>\n

Follow: https:\/\/t.co\/mLGcUTSA3Q<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yoKrUMFDlt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Press TV<\/p>\n

\"\ufffd\ufffd\"<\/p>\n

\ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n

(@PressTV) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Kuwait\u2019s Defense Ministry (MoD) said two northern border centers were struck by fiber-optic guided drones launched from Iraq.<\/p>\n

The attack caused material damage, but no casualties, said MoD spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi.F<\/p>\n

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\u2014 KUWAIT ARMY \u2013 \u0627\u0644\u062c\u064a\u0634 \u0627\u0644\u0643\u0648\u064a\u062a\u064a (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com<\/p>\n