Trump: "Mine-clearing in the Strait of Hormuz has begun"...CENTCOM: "Two destroyers have transited"

[The Financial News]

U.S. President Donald John Trump said on the 11th (local time) that the United States has "started cleaning up" the Strait of Hormuz. Trump went on to stress that all of Iran's minelayers have been sent to the bottom of the sea.
His remarks are being interpreted to mean that Iran's minelayers have all been sunk and that once the mines laid in the strait are removed, ships will be able to pass through.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social that day, Trump wrote, "We have now begun the process of cleaning up the Strait of Hormuz (of obstacles)," adding, "In addition, all 28 of Iran's minelayers are now resting on the bottom of the sea."
Just minutes before Trump posted this message on social media, reports emerged that U.S. Navy warships had appeared in the strait.
Axios, citing an anonymous U.S. government official, reported that "multiple" U.S. Navy warships transited the Strait of Hormuz on the 11th.
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting quickly aired a report quoting an Iranian military official who denied the account.
Despite Iran's rebuttal, the United States officially confirmed that its warships had passed through the strait. It is the first time U.S. warships have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the war with Iran.
In a statement, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said, "CENTCOM forces have begun setting the conditions for mine removal in the Strait of Hormuz," and confirmed that two guided-missile destroyers had passed through the strait.
CENTCOM explained that the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy transited the strait and conducted operations in the Arabian Gulf, describing this as part of a broader mission to completely remove mines laid by Iran.
CENTCOM added that additional U.S. assets, including underwater drones, will be deployed to the mine-clearing operation in the coming days.
Commander Brad Cooper said, "Today we began the process of charting a new route," adding, "We will soon share this safe corridor with the shipping industry to facilitate the free flow of commercial traffic."
The mine-clearing operation began just as talks between the United States and Iran were getting under way in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is seen as an attempt to increase pressure on Iran.
The move is effectively an effort to disarm Iran by making clear that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened even if Tehran tries to hold out.
According to the Financial Times (FT), the Islamabad talks are currently deadlocked over differences regarding the status of the strait.
Mine removal is one of the key ways to neutralize what has been considered Iran's main leverage.
Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that Iran's only real card is holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage.
dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter