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Iran is still laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials are reported to have discovered, as the US Navy ramps up minesweeping activities in the vitally important waterway, which remains under blockade.
“Our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
“I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled-up level!”
At least four minesweeping vessels are currently in the region.
On Thursday, Axios reported that Iran had been caught laying new mines in the Strait, through which 20% of the world’s oil and gas exports normally pass.
President Trump also said he had ordered Navy vessels to “shoot and kill” any Iranians seen laying mines.
Mines have been a significant issue during the conflict and represent an obvious threat to re-opening the Strait fully to shipping if a peace deal is agreed.
According to Politico, British military units are preparing to carry out mine-clearing work as part of a multinational effort. Royal Navy divers and autonomous mine-hunters are set to be deployed, according to the Ministry of Defence.
As well as surface vessels such as the USS Chief and Pioneer, the US Navy has also deployed underwater drones to take out mines.
However, clearing the Strait could take as long as six months, the Pentagon is alleged to have told Congress. That evaluation was dismissed as “false” by the Department of Defense.
US negotiators are due to travel to Pakistan today in a bid to continue talks to end the war, but Iran has said it has no plans to take part directly.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will represent the US. It’s reported that Vice President JD Vance is also ready to travel to Pakistan.
Iran’s Foreign Secretary Abbas Aragchi is already in Islamabad, but a foreign ministry spokesperson said Iranian officials will not meet with US representatives. Instead, discussions will be mediated through Pakistani officials.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said Iran has a chance to make a “good deal” with the US.
“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely,” he said.
“All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”
The US and Iran remain at an impasse, mainly over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
On Friday, President Trump told Reuters that Iran is planning to make an offer that will satisfy his demands.
President Trump declined to say who the US is negotiating with, “but we’re dealing with the people in charge now.”
On Tuesday, President Trump extended his two-week ceasefire to allow time for more negotiation.
Oil prices have surged as the US Navy continues to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Just five ships transited the crucial waterway this week, compared to 130 a week before the conflict began at the end of February.
Israel and Lebanon also extended their ceasefire this week, for another three weeks, at a meeting brokered by President Trump in Washington. Fighting appears, however, to be continuing in southern Lebanon.
