Trump Says Ships Should Sail Through Strait of Hormuz, Most Mines Cleared

[Financial News]

President Donald Trump said on the 11th (local time) that the U.S. military has neutralized the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ability to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and urged oil companies to use the waterway.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), when asked by a reporter whether he was speaking with oil company executives about the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump replied that he was strongly advising them "to use the strait."
Donald Trump stated, "Overnight we took out almost all of their mine‐laying vessels," referring to Iran’s capabilities.
Asked whether any mines remained in the strait, he answered, "We do not believe so," stressing that the U.S. military had removed most of them.
Earlier, U.S. Central Command announced on the 10th that it had destroyed 16 Iranian mine‐laying boats and other vessels.
However, because the mine‐laying boats are about the size of small fishing vessels and easy to disguise, it remains uncertain whether U.S. forces have eliminated all of them.
Threats persist beyond naval mines.
On the same day, three merchant ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is only about 33 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, and once reefs and shallow waters are excluded, the actual navigable channels are extremely limited, leaving ships highly exposed to attack.
Even so, Donald Trump insisted the area is now safe.
He said, "I think you’re going to see tremendous safety," adding, "We have crippled that country (Iran), and now they are paying a very heavy price."
Donald Trump also said he has spoken with various leaders around the world about the situation involving war with Iran. He did not disclose details of those conversations.

dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter