Trump Announces Joint US-Iran Mine Removal as Strait of Hormuz Reopens to Shipping

President Trump declares the Strait of Hormuz "over," rejecting NATO assistance while confirming US and Iranian forces are clearing mines together.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 11:18 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters and The Economic Times

The Breaking Development

The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis reached a definitive turning point on Friday as President Donald Trump announced that Iran, with direct assistance from the United States military, is in the process of removing all sea mines from the vital waterway. The operation, which follows weeks of functional impairment of the Strait, marks the most significant level of direct cooperation between Washington and Tehran since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28. "Iran, with the help of the USA, has removed, or is removing, all sea mines," Trump wrote on Truth Social, signaling that the naval blockade and maritime standoff that threatened one-fifth of the world’s oil supply have reached a resolution.

Background and Context

The mining of the Strait was a central escalation in the month-long war, leading to a functional shutdown of the channel and a spike in global energy prices to over $120 per barrel. Earlier this week, U.S. Central Command deployed the guided-missile destroyers USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy to begin interdicting mine-laying vessels and clearing deep-water channels. The transition from unilateral U.S. clearing to a joint effort with Iranian forces follows the breakthrough "Islamabad Progress" talks, where both nations agreed to a framework for reopening the waterway to commercial traffic for the remainder of the current two-week ceasefire.

Strategic Rationale and Market Impact

The President’s confirmation that the "Hormuz Strait situation is over" triggered an immediate and dramatic reaction in global markets. Brent crude futures plummeted by 10%, falling below $95 per barrel for the first time since the blockade was enforced on April 13. While the President celebrated the reopening, he used the occasion to issue a scathing rebuke to NATO. Trump claimed he rejected the alliance’s offer of help, stating, "I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!" This rhetoric reinforces the administration's "America First" stance, suggesting that European allies who refused to join the initial blockade have lost their standing in the regional security architecture.