US allies doubt Trump’s claim that Hormuz mines have been cleared

US allies are privately warning that the Strait of Hormuz likely remains mined despite President Donald Trump's assertion on Tuesday that the US Navy has removed all Iranian explosives from the waterway, according to Bloomberg. The skepticism emerged as Iran and Oman announced a temporary shipping corridor agreement that Tehran insists does not constitute a reopening of the strait.bloomberg

Allied Doubts and Trump's Claims

Allied governments believe that while the US has made some progress clearing mines from international waters, demining efforts have not removed all of the estimated 80 to 150 mines laid by Iran, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Trump declared on Truth Social ↗ 2.84% on Tuesday that "all mines have been removed and/or detonated" and warned that any Iranian vessel placing new mines would be "immediately and systematically destroyed".yahoo+1

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed Trump's claim as "only aimed at calming the markets," warning that US mine-detection vessels entering the area would become "very good targets". He insisted the strait remains militarily closed.aljazeera

Oil prices fell below $90 per barrel following Trump's announcement, easing some pressure on global energy markets that have been roiled since the war began in February.engine

Iran-Oman Corridor Agreement

Iran and Oman on Tuesday announced a framework for a temporary shipping route through the strait. The corridor would be 7 miles wide, with inbound vessels entering through Iranian waters and outbound traffic traversing both Iranian and Omani waters. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X he hoped the countries would "soon announce" the corridor.aljazeera

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps indicated the arrangement would generate revenue for both countries, though no specific fees were announced. The Trump administration has repeatedly warned against imposing charges for transit through a waterway that was free before the conflict.nypost

Gharibabadi stressed that the temporary route does not mean the strait has reopened. "The blockade is not the only quid pro quo for the Strait of Hormuz," he said, demanding that the US lift sanctions, end its naval blockade, and fulfill commitments under the now-lapsed June memorandum of understanding.yahoo+1

US Shifts to Economic Pressure

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told foreign counterparts in recent days that the US does not intend to launch new strikes against Iran "for the time being," according to Axios, as reported by Ynet News. The administration is instead pursuing what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called "Operation Economic Outcast," imposing sanctions on more than 60 entities it accuses of facilitating Iranian oil sales. China formally rejected the sanctions campaign, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian saying Beijing would not sever commercial ties with Iran.ynetnews+1

An oil tanker was disabled by an unidentified projectile near Oman's Ash Shishah on Tuesday, underscoring continued dangers in the waterway even as diplomatic efforts advance.aljazeera