Two US destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, preparing for mine-clearing operations, the U.S. Central Command announced.

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations,” the statement from CENTCOM said.

“USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf 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 Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.

“Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days,” the statement concluded.

Earlier on Saturday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World.”

Trump added that “all 28 of Iran’s mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea.”

Meanwhile, the New York Times quoted US officials as saying that Iran hasn’t reopened the Strait of Hormuz because it cannot locate and remove all the mines it placed during the war.

According to the report, neither Iran nor the United States currently has the capacity to clear the mines effectively. Some mines may have drifted, and it’s unclear whether Iran even knows the exact locations of all those it deployed

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)