The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that over the past few months, it has successfully cleared sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, placed by the Iranian regime.

Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of CENTCOM said that the mines which were laid months ago by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were cleared using a combination of navy divers, Navy SEALs, and US air power from the army, navy, and the Marine Corps.

Cooper said that over the past several months, US forces have ‘assisted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels in transiting the Strait, by providing coordinated protection,’ with those ships carrying an estimated 750 million barrels of crude oil.

He said that the US had restricted the exit and entry of ships from and into Iranian ports without the permission of the US, and that ships were allowed to pass on humanitarian grounds.

CENTCOM claims that it ‘disabled’ three vessels which did not comply when directed by the US, while 82 commercial vessels have been redirected.

Meanwhile, Oman and Iran recently held talks focusing on the resumption of safe navigation through the Strait, while preserving the sovereignty of both nations.

The proposed framework includes a joint temporary corridor, as well as an agreement to implement a joint project to clear remaining sea mines.

Both countries agreed that ‘technical conversation’ would continue, with a view to agreeing on a permanent navigational corridor, as well as a mechanism for information sharing, traffic management, and security services.