CENTCOM says Hormuz transit lanes cleared of mines as shipping incidents persist

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper has said the primary shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared of Iranian sea mines and commercial vessels are continuing to transit. His statement on 30 October 2026 came amid conflicting Iranian claims and separate reports of attacks on merchant shipping.

Cooper said he had observed dozens of cargo ships, crude tankers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers moving through the waterway during an aerial inspection. However, reported incidents in the region underline the distinction between clearance of designated transit lanes and the wider security conditions facing shipowners.

CENTCOM’s account states that US forces cleared the internationally recognised primary transit routes and continue to protect commercial traffic.

A command statement describing Cooper’s visit to the strait on 25 October said more than 3,000 commercial vessels had passed through with CENTCOM support over the preceding six months. It also said US forces had assisted Gulf partners in exporting more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since the summer.

This story was originally published by Maritime Gateway. Read the full story at Maritime Gateway →