Trump Claims Hormuz Strait Has Been Cleared of Mines, Issues Fresh Warning to Iran

US President Donald Trump has said mines have been cleared from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz and warned Iran against placing any new mines in the strategically vital waterway.

In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed that the United States had detonated or removed all mines from the international waters of the strait. He also said the US Space Force was monitoring “every square inch” of the passage.

“There is a Zero Tolerance policy on mine placement in full force and effect,” Trump said, warning that any vessel involved in laying new mines would be destroyed.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies. According to provisional data from ship-tracking firm Vortexa, oil flows through the waterway were around 5 million barrels per day on Monday, compared with more than 20 million barrels a day before the war.

The reduced traffic highlights the continuing disruption around the narrow maritime passage, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption normally passes.

Trump attacks Iran over executions

Trump also criticised Iran over the reported increase in executions of people accused of involvement in mass protests earlier this year.

In another Truth Social post, he accused the Iranian government of failing to pay parts of its military while carrying out executions, including against people who were no longer participating in protests.

He described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis of epic proportions” and called for an immediate end to the executions.

It was unclear what prompted Trump’s latest comments, although reports indicate that executions have increased since the war began on February 28.

The conflict followed joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which came weeks after Iranian authorities suppressed widespread protests. The demonstrations initially erupted in late December over the rising cost of living before developing into a broader anti-government movement.

Iranian authorities have reported more than 3,000 deaths and attributed the unrest to alleged terrorist activity backed by the US and Israel. Rights organisations based outside Iran have reported substantially higher death tolls and accused security forces of firing on protesters.

Earlier this month, more than 30 countries signed a statement condemning Iran’s continued executions of protesters and use of the death penalty. The United States did not join the statement.

At least three more people have reportedly been executed in Iran on charges connected to the protests since then.

Iran vows response to US sanctions

The latest developments come as Iran has threatened retaliation over a fresh expansion of US economic sanctions.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new measures on Monday, warning that countries continuing to conduct business with Iran could risk losing access to the US dollar-based financial system.

Bessent did not identify the countries that could be affected or specify when the penalties would take effect, saying governments would be given time to comply.

The Treasury Department separately sanctioned 60 individuals, entities and vessels. Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iranian oil transactions were not included in the latest list.

Pakistan seeks progress on Hormuz

The US and Iran signed an interim agreement in June aimed at ending the conflict that began with American and Israeli strikes on Iran. However, the arrangement, referred to as the Islamabad memorandum, subsequently stalled.

Pakistan has continued efforts to mediate between the two sides. Its military said Tuesday that recent talks in Tehran had made “significant progress” on measures to prevent further escalation and facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who travelled to Tehran with Army Chief Asim Munir, said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had openly explained Tehran’s position and that the discussions were constructive.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to efforts to ease the wider conflict, with any sustained reopening likely to have significant consequences for global oil supplies and energy prices.