Overview
- On Monday President Donald Trump declared the strait cleared of mines and “100 percent” under U.S. control after a reported mine‑clearing effort, and he demanded reparations from Iran as part of any further talks.
- Independent maritime authorities and analysts report continued attacks, harassment and the risk of drifting or uncharted mines, which keep commercial traffic at about one‑tenth of prewar volumes.
- U.S. officials point to longer term alternatives such as pipelines to reduce reliance on the strait, but those routes cannot replace the waterway quickly and markets still show supply stress.
- U.S. Central Command said a U.S. helicopter fired on a tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port while other incidents near the Gulf of Oman and Bab al‑Mandab have been reported by maritime agencies.
- Iran is negotiating with Oman over new routing and has tied any full reopening to concessions including lifting blockades, withdrawal of foreign forces and reparations, a stance that keeps clearance and normal trade uncertain.