An American official told i24NEWS that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has cleared mines from entry and exit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, opening an additional shipping lane expected to increase maritime traffic. The official added that the new route is closer to Iranian waters, and assessments indicate Iran may eventually open fire on ships or energy facilities.
An American official told i24NEWS Tuesday evening that CENTCOM has cleared mines from entry and exit routes in the Strait of Hormuz, creating an additional shipping lane that brings vessels closer to Iranian territorial waters. The official assessed that Iran may eventually open fire on ships or energy facilities, though no immediate confirmation of such intent was available.
The development follows President Trump's announcement at 17:32 Jerusalem Tuesday that the U.S. Navy had completed clearing all mines from the strait's international waters. Trump warned of a zero-tolerance policy, stating that any vessel laying new mines would be "immediately and systematically destroyed." Trump also cited the destruction of Iranian nuclear sites, including Mount Pickaxe. The Zioneer first reported Trump's statement and subsequently updated the thread as further details emerged, including the explicit warning and the link to nuclear site strikes.
The Zioneer has documented the evolving U.S.-Iran maritime confrontation for months. On June 27, CENTCOM told Al-Hadath it was working to increase Strait of Hormuz traffic. On June 20, CENTCOM reported 55 commercial vessels transiting the strait with over 17 million barrels of oil. Earlier, on June 13, CENTCOM confirmed intercepting Iranian one-way attack drones targeting civilian ships. Airstrikes against IRGC drone storage and minelayer capabilities were reported on June 27, as The Zioneer detailed. The new cleared lane represents a tactical shift: positioning shipping closer to Iranian forces while maintaining open passage.
The official's assessment of potential Iranian fire remains uncorroborated by independent sources. No recent Iranian statements directly threaten the new route, and the U.S. has not detailed specific intelligence behind the warning.
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