US clears all mines from Strait of Hormuz, warns Iran against new ones: Trump

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the United States is monitoring "every inch" of the Strait of Hormuz, Mount Khor and three previously destroyed nuclear sites, and that the US Navy has informed him all mines in the strait's international waters have been removed or detonated. Trump warned Iran that any ship or boat laying new mines would be destroyed "immediately and systematically," stating a zero-tolerance policy on mine-laying is in effect. US Central Command said that since the resumption of the maritime blockade against Iran on July 14, 71 commercial vessels have been directed, three ships have been stopped, and two have been boarded for compliance inspections. The command added that more than 40 humanitarian aid vessels were allowed to pass through during the same period. According to preliminary data from ship-tracking company Kpler, raw-material cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level since May 7. No further details on the mine-clearance timeline or Iran's response were immediately available.