The US Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been cleared of Iranian sea mines, a major obstacle to President Donald Trump's goal of regaining freedom of navigation through the strait. The claim was made after a significant reduction in maritime traffic from 140 vessels per day to only a handful. Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, refuted the claim, stating that only Iran knows where the mines are and that no vessel has passed through without permission. This development is seen as a major milestone in regaining freedom of navigation through the strait, which has been restricted by Iran since February 28.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Here is a summary of the news story:
Iran and Oman have reached an agreement to open a temporary new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but it requires the US to lift its naval blockade and return to previous truce terms. This comes after President Trump said that the US Navy has removed or detonated all mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran having been notified that any ship placing new mines will be immediately destroyed. However, the US Central Command has also announced that it has cleared the strait of Iranian sea mines, removing a major obstacle to freedom of navigation through the vital energy route. The closure of the strait has caused wild fluctuations in oil prices, and Iran's parliament speaker has called for national unity and support for the government as the country faces an "all-out economic war".
Written for “Strait of Hormuz Clearance” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.60, but none of the 3 quote(s) it offered could be found in the article text, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 3043: no verified evidence · logged 2026-08-28
The U.S. military said it has clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian mines, removing a major obstacle to President Donald Trump's goal of regaining freedom of navigation through the vital energy route, though Iran refutes the claim.
uncertain
Iran → say → claim
The strait has become a focal point in the U.S. war against Iran, which has been restricting maritime traffic at the chokepoint via military drones, missiles and mines since the conflict began.
asserted
conflict → become → drones
Trump has repeatedly stated for months that the strait is open, despite the number of ships making it through each day dwindling from about 140 vessels to only a handful.
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number → state → handful
U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper announced in a video posted online that the U.S. military has "achieved a major milestone" in the Strait of Hormuz.
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military → announce → Hormuz
"We have successfully cleared sea mines in the strait's international shipping lanes that were laid months ago by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
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that → clear → Corps
Internationally recognized transit routes in the strait are free of Iranian sea mines, thanks to the incredible work of the U.S. military," he said.
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he → recognize → military
Cooper made the announcement a day after Trump on Tuesday said on his Truth Social platform that he had been informed that the mines had been cleared by the U.S. Navy.
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mines → make → Navy
"Iran has been notified that any ship or boat placing new mines will be immediately and systematically destroyed," he said.
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he → notify → mines
"Through Space Force, we are watching every square inch of the Strait," he added.
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he → watch → Strait
The claim could not be independently verified.
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claim → verify → ?
However, Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, refuted Trump's comments, saying only Iran knows where the mines are, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.
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Agency → refute → comments
"The Strait of Hormuz is closed both because of the presence of mines and because of our military actions.
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Strait → close → actions
If America is making this claim, why is not a single vessel passing through?" he said, seemingly meaning none have transited without Iran's permission.
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none → make → permission
"These remarks are propaganda intended to create calm in global energy markets.
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remarks → intend → markets
No one has accepted these claims."
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one → accept → claims
Gharibabadi was speaking about framework for the strait being by Iran and Oman.
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Gharibabadi → speak → Iran
A provision of the proposed agreement concerns the implementation of a joint project to clear the strait of mines.
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provision → propose → mines
Iran has restricted transit of the strait since the war began Feb. 28, when it was attacked by the United States and Israel.
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it → restrict → States
While the United States launched the war with the goal of preventing Tehran from securing a nuclear weapon and encouraging regime change, the Trump administration has now focused on regaining freedom of navigation through the strait.
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administration → launch → strait
Iran is fighting to maintain its ability to oversee ships transiting the chokepoint.
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Iran → fight → chokepoint
