The U.S. military has completed operations to remove or detonate Iranian sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing two-way tanker traffic through the strategic waterway, CENTCOM (U.S. military command) announced. The strait previously handled roughly 20% of global oil supplies. The clearance effort began on April 11, 2026, after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) placed mines in international shipping lanes. Iran has not exported a single barrel of crude since mid-July, and no tankers have been reported leaving Kharg Island since the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports was reinstated around July 13-14. The operation included U.S. Navy destroyers, underwater drones and helicopters, with approximately 50,000 U.S. troops supporting regional operations. President Trump said on August 25 that all mines in international waters had been removed or detonated. Admiral Brad Cooper called the clearance a "major milestone" for international shipping. Despite the reopening, the IRGC retains asymmetric capabilities, including fast attack boats and anti-ship missiles, that could still disrupt maritime traffic.