U.S. Directs Ships to Cleared Path in Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military is directing commercial ships toward a route in the Strait of Hormuz farther from Iran that forces have spent weeks clearing of mines. Officials warn that the normal route could be extremely hazardous because of mines laid in the strait by Iran.

The notice to mariners was posted on the same day the U.S. began its latest effort, called Project Freedom, to reopen at least part of the strait. As part of the operation, forces under U.S. Central Command will coordinate with commercial ships to guide them through the cleared path.

The Pentagon displayed a graphic at a briefing Tuesday saying Iran had laid new mines in the Strait of Hormuz on April 23. In March, there were about a dozen Iranian mines reported in the strait. That same month, the Pentagon tasked MQ-9 Reaper drones with conducting mine sweeper support throughout the critical waterway.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has also been tapped for mine hunting duties. A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command said it is already well reported that Iran has laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz, though not extensively. "We've been addressing this matter in past weeks, including by clearing an effective pathway ships can use to safely transit.

We will continue to take steps to ensure opportunities remain for ships to complete their journeys safely," the spokesperson told reporters. When mines were first reported in March, the administration said there was no clear evidence they had been dropped, but it has since acknowledged their presence.

The Islamic Republic of Iran established the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" yesterday. The new body requires advanced coordination with Iran for any ships to transit the strait, along with paying a toll. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy has thanked shipping captains and owners for their cooperation in transiting the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with Iranian regulations.

Iran has said its threat against the strait is a response to recent U.S. military actions and will continue until the U.S. ends its blockade on Iranian ports. On April 24, the Defense Secretary warned Iran that laying any more mines would constitute a violation of the ceasefire.

"If there's attempts to lay – recklessly and irresponsibly – lay more mines, we're going to deal with that. It's a violation of the ceasefire," the Defense Secretary said.

So far, two U.S. commercial ships have left the Persian Gulf since Project Freedom began. That is a small fraction of the 1,550 commercial vessels the Joint Chiefs Chairman said have been stuck in the Gulf. Officials said hundreds more ships from nations around the world are lining up to transit, though they set no expectations for how many are expected to cross in the coming days.

Both the Defense Secretary and the Joint Chiefs Chairman described Project Freedom as a defensive operation that is temporary in duration. It is separate from the bombing campaign, Operation Epic Fury. " >"I don't know if people appreciate how outrageous this is.

" — Secretary of State, May 5, 2026 (CBS News) The U.S. sinks seven Iranian boats as Iran attacks UAE, ships in Strait of Hormuz, according to prior reporting.