- US Central Command has declared the Strait of Hormuz cleared of mines laid by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, calling it a 'major milestone' for global oil shipping.
- In Tehran, Qatar's Prime Minister met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss de-escalation efforts amid ongoing regional tensions.
- US President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz is open and described Iran's response to the conflict as 'very mild'.
- The USS Theodore Roosevelt is set to deploy to the Middle East, relieving the USS George Washington amid ongoing military operations.
- US officials estimate that between 20 and 30 tankers are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz each night, which is about half the level recorded before the war.
- An American official reported that Iran had struck around 2% of the ships that passed through the strait over the past month, with most attacks reportedly missing their targets.
- Preliminary shipping data indicated that seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, down from 17 the previous day.
President Trump affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is open, characterizing Iran's military actions as 'very mild'. He stated, 'They don’t want us to go back at them', emphasizing the importance of the situation. US Central Command confirmed the waterway is cleared of mines, a significant milestone for global oil shipping.134
US officials estimate that 20 to 30 tankers transit the strait nightly, though this is half the pre-war level. An American official noted that Iran has targeted 2% of passing ships, with most attacks missing their marks. Meanwhile, seven vessels crossed the strait on Thursday, a drop from 17 the previous day.
In a bid to ease tensions, Qatar's Prime Minister met with Iranian leaders, discussing regional security and the need for dialogue. Iran's foreign minister indicated that renewed negotiations depend on the US abandoning pressure tactics. He stated, 'The U.S. should build trust' to facilitate discussions. As the situation evolves, the US is deploying a new aircraft carrier to the region, indicating ongoing military readiness amidst diplomatic efforts.2
“US Central Command's mine-clearing operation supported over 1,500 vessels carrying 750 million barrels of oil, with more than 20 warships involved. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister said diplomacy 'isn't impossible' if Washington abandons pressure, while a new US carrier heads to the region.”
Firstpost
Gulf News
