Navy to use underwater drones to help clear Iranian mines from Strait of Hormuz
5 hours ago
- #US-Iran Relations
- #Maritime Security
- #Military Operations
- The U.S. Navy plans to use underwater drones to help clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz as part of Operation Epic Fury.
- Iranian forces laid mines in the strait but reportedly cannot locate or remove them all, posing a threat to shipping in this critical oil transit route.
- President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and directed the Navy to destroy Iranian mines and interdict vessels paying illegal tolls to Iran.
- The clearance effort includes guided missile destroyers and will involve 'underwater drones' in the coming days, though specific models like the Knifefish are designed for such mine-hunting operations.
- The Navy's mine countermeasures mission package, featuring unmanned systems, has reached initial operational capability, aiming to keep sailors safe by operating remotely in minefields.