British Navy Prepares Mine-Clearing Mission in the Strait of Hormuz

Hundreds of British sailors are waiting aboard a ship off Gibraltar for a mission to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a deployment intended to reopen one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes after Iran shut the waterway and disrupted international maritime traffic. The closure has sharply driven up energy prices and blocked the passage of at least 6,000 vessels since the conflict began. The British Navy will begin the operation once a peace agreement is reached with Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said an agreement with Iran has been largely negotiated. An international operation is being planned under the leadership of Britain and France. HMS Lyme Bay is set to depart Gibraltar and head to the Gulf via the Suez Canal. Trump has accused allies of failing to provide more support against Iran as tensions deepen around the strait. The planned mission underscores efforts to restore security to a key global energy and trade route.