US Allies Warn Hormuz Is Still Mined Despite Trump Claim

(Bloomberg) -- US allies are privately warning that the Strait of Hormuz is still likely mined, casting doubt on President Donald Trump's claim that the US Navy has completely removed and detonated explosives laid by Iran.

The US is likely to have made some progress in removing mines in international waters, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal assessments. But they believe that demining efforts haven't cleared all of the estimated 80 to 150 mines laid by Iran.

That assessment challenges Trump's repeated statements in recent days that the strait has been cleared. On Wednesday, he called Hormuz "a very functioning strait" and repeated his claim that no mines remained.

"The mines are gone. You probably saw that — we put it out yesterday — all the mines, we got rid of the mines," he said on "The Glenn Beck Program."

US Central Command on Wednesday declined to comment on estimates on mines in Hormuz.

Trump has repeatedly insisted the strait is safe, as part of an administration-wide effort to calm energy markets as he looks to end the six-month war heading into midterm elections in November.

Allied officials believe the task also has become more complicated because many mines — even those that have been identified and laid in clusters — are likely to have drifted from their original position due to sea currents.

They caution that giving commercial shippers more confidence to transit the strait requires an international effort that combines the use of sophisticated de-mining equipment with air and naval protection. Allies want Iran to grant Oman permission to launch such a mission in Omani waters to ensure no vessels are attacked.

"It is highly unlikely that all the mines in the strait have been cleared," said Becca Wasser, Bloomberg Economics defense lead. "Even if the mine threat was reduced, Iran could still escalate. Numerous commercial vessels are well in range of Iranian drones and short-range missiles — and many are outside the range of US air defense cover."

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of Centcom, told Congress in May that US strikes had destroyed more than 90% of Iran's estimated inventory of around 8,000 mines in storage. In April, the Command said two destroyers transited Hormuz "as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps."