The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that its forces began preparations for mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz on 11 April 2026.
The Arleigh Burke-class DDGs USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the strait to establish a “safe pathway” for global commerce following reports of sea mines laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
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This is part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is “fully clear” of sea mines laid by the IRGC, CENTCOM said.
CENTCOM commander admiral Brad Cooper said: “Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical international waterway, enabling regional and international trade.
CENTCOM said that additional US resources, including underwater drones, are scheduled to support the mine clearing operation in the coming days.
While the deployment of the USS Frank E. Peterson, which joined Navy service in May 2022, and the older USS Michael Murphy, commissioned in October 2012, offer multi-mission capabilities, they are not specialised in mine countermeasures.
The task was previously performed by Avenger-class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs), but the US Navy retired the last ship of this class, USS Devastator (MCM 6), in Bahrain last year and replaced them with littoral combat ships (LCS), which have had limited testing in mine warfare roles.
USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy belong to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, capable of carrying out anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface operations.
In separatee development, CENTCOM announced separately on 12 April that it would enforce a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and departing from Iranian ports beginning April 13, following a presidential directive.
The enforcement applies to vessels from all countries approaching Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
CENTCOM clarified that ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from ports outside Iran would not face restrictions on navigation.
