The U.S. has launched an operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz using drones and aircraft
The United States has launched an emergency operation to clear mines and reopen the Strait of Hormuz following a threat posed by Iranian mines. To carry out the mission, the Pentagon is actively deploying underwater and surface drones, as well as aircraft.
This was reported by Fox News.
According to available information, due to a reduction in the number of specialized mine-sweeping vessels, the U.S. Navy is currently in a transitional period, forced to combine modern technologies with tried-and-true methods.
The operation begins with remote reconnaissance—ships do not enter dangerous zones without prior analysis. Unmanned systems play a key role at this stage:
- underwater drones follow pre-programmed routes and scan the seabed using sonar;
- surface drones tow sonar arrays to inspect narrow passages;
- helicopters detect mines that may be closer to the water’s surface.
Once explosive objects are detected, they are neutralized remotely—using special robots or controlled detonation.
Despite relying on the latest technologies, the U.S. is also bringing classic minehunters back into service. In particular, Avengers-class ships—the USS Chief and USS Pioneer—are heading to the region and have been spotted en route from Southeast Asia.
According to intelligence estimates, there may be at least ten mines in the strait, though experts do not rule out the possibility that there are significantly more. Each one must not only be located but also safely destroyed.
The Pentagon has already warned that the operation could be lengthy—clearing the strait could take up to six months, given the complexity of the work and the need to ensure safe navigation.
According to data from the Vesselfinder portal, as well as another similar service, Marinetraffic, the 142-meter superyacht Nord, owned by Alexei Mordashov of the Russian company Severstal, departed from Dubai on April 24 and is heading to Oman. The vessel crossed the Strait of Hormuz without incident.
As a reminder, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked to Iranian exports until a full-fledged peace agreement is reached.
Ukraine is ready to deploy at least two mine-sweeping ships to the international operation to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines.
The Times reported that Ukraine could send all four of its minesweepers, which are based in Britain, to the Strait of Hormuz.
