WASHINGTON: The United States has begun a mission to clear sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said on Saturday, as Washington and Tehran opened high-stakes Pakistan-mediated peace talks in Islamabad to end the conflict.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had started “setting conditions for clearing mines” in the strategic waterway, with two US Navy guided-missile destroyers transiting the strait as part of the operation.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy had passed through the Strait of Hormuz “as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps”.
“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 11, 2026
The Pentagon said that the operation was aimed at reopening one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, which has been effectively blocked in recent weeks amid fears of Iranian attacks on shipping.
US President Donald Trump said Washington had started “clearing out” the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a service to global economies reliant on energy flows.
“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that Iranian mine-laying vessels had been destroyed.
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has seen sharply reduced traffic since the conflict began in late February, disrupting global energy markets and pushing up fuel prices.
US-Iran talks underway in Islamabad
The developments came as the United States and Iran started Pakistan-mediated direct negotiations in Islamabad in an effort to end weeks of conflict.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had expressed hope that both sides would “engage constructively” and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution.
Pakistan state broadcaster PTV News reported that the talks had begun on Saturday, marking the first direct engagement between the two sides since the outbreak of hostilities.
The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by senior officials including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.
Iran is represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The negotiations follow a two-week ceasefire announced earlier this week, after diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the truce was intended to create space for dialogue.
