U.S. Navy Launches Strategic Mine Clearance Operations in the Strait of Hormuz to Secure Global Trade
TAMPA, Fla., April 11, 2026 — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially commenced a high-priority mission to clear sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, deploying two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers to secure the vital maritime corridor.
The USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) successfully transited the strait and entered the Arabian Gulf to begin neutralizing threats previously established by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, these operations are focused on establishing a new, safe passage for the maritime industry to ensure the uninterrupted flow of global commerce.
To bolster this effort, additional American assets, including advanced underwater drones, are scheduled to join the clearance mission in the coming days, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to maintaining regional stability and economic prosperity in one of the world’s most essential trade waterways.