Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Cleared of Mines, Warns Iran Against Renewed Threats to Global Shipping

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that mines have been removed or destroyed from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, declaring a major U.S. maritime operation complete while issuing a direct warning to Iran against attempting to mine the strategic waterway again.

Trump said the United States is maintaining intensive surveillance over the strait and has adopted a zero-tolerance posture toward any renewed Iranian mine-laying activity. He warned that vessels caught placing new explosives in international shipping lanes would face immediate action. Reuters reported that U.S. and Iranian forces have not exchanged airstrikes for several weeks, although threats to commercial shipping around the strait have continued.

The announcement represents another step in Washington's effort to establish control over one of the world's most strategically important energy corridors. Before the conflict, more than 20 million barrels of oil per day routinely moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Provisional shipping data cited by Reuters showed traffic at roughly 5 million barrels per day Monday, illustrating how significantly the confrontation has disrupted normal maritime commerce.

The maritime announcement comes only a day after the Trump administration launched Operation Economic Outcast, a sweeping new campaign designed to isolate Iran from international financial and commercial networks.

The White House said the operation is intended to cut remaining economic channels supporting Iran's government. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an expanded campaign targeting Iran's financial connections, while U.S. actions have focused on networks associated with oil revenue, military procurement, cyber operations and weapons programs. Nearly 60 individuals and entities were targeted in the latest round of measures.

Taken together, the naval operation and new sanctions demonstrate Washington's strategy of applying military, maritime and economic pressure simultaneously while attempting to avoid another immediate round of major direct strikes.

Iran, however, is signaling that it does not intend to surrender to the pressure. Iranian officials said the country had prepared for additional American sanctions and argued that years of restrictions have already forced Tehran to build mechanisms for operating outside traditional Western financial channels.

The economic pressure is nevertheless becoming increasingly visible inside Iran. Long lines have appeared at gasoline stations in Tehran as fuel shortages, inflation and uncertainty weigh on the population. Iran's currency has also suffered heavily as Washington attempts to restrict oil exports and sever Tehran's access to foreign revenue.

China, Iran's largest oil customer, has emerged as one of the biggest tests of the American strategy. Beijing objected Tuesday to Washington's latest sanctions and warned against interference with Chinese commercial relationships with Iran. Iranian oil shipments to China have already declined substantially this year as U.S. pressure has increased, although Chinese refiners continue to represent a crucial source of revenue for Tehran.

Diplomatic efforts have not completely disappeared. Iran and Oman are discussing proposals for managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including navigation arrangements and mine-clearing provisions. No final agreement has been announced.

For Washington, keeping the strait open carries consequences far beyond Iran. Disruptions to the waterway affect global energy supplies and ultimately American consumers through gasoline and transportation costs. U.S. consumer confidence fell in August as gasoline prices remained above $4 per gallon amid continuing Middle East uncertainty.

The latest developments suggest that the U.S.–Iran confrontation has moved into a new phase. Instead of relying principally on direct military exchanges, Washington is attempting to secure international shipping while squeezing Iran's access to money, oil markets and foreign partners.

Trump's message Tuesday also established a clear red line: Washington considers renewed mining of international waters unacceptable and says it is prepared to enforce that position.

Whether Iran challenges that warning—or chooses negotiations as economic pressure intensifies—could determine the next stage of the confrontation.