Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz Demined, Warns Iran.

Trump said Tuesday the U.S. Navy informed him all mines have been removed or detonated from international waters in the Strait of Hormuz. He threatened to destroy any ship that attempts to place new mines.

• Zero tolerance: Trump declared no new mine placement will be permitted.
• Space Force is monitoring the strait and Pickaxe Mountain nuclear sites.
• Commerce through the strait had resumed but well below pre-war levels.
• Monday: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced expanded sanctions on Iran.

Why it matters: Mine clearance marks a potential turning point in a conflict now approaching its sixth month. Control of the strait has been a central contest between the U.S. and Iran since ceasefire negotiations collapsed earlier this summer.

• Bessent described the sanctions push as 'economic asphyxiation of this regime.'
• Some critics argued secondary sanctions should have been imposed immediately rather than after a warning period.

How 10 sources split on this story

What’s next: Secondary sanctions will target countries whose banks and firms do business with Tehran.

• Bessent warned non-compliant countries they 'should expect' to leave the dollar system.
• Whether Iran will attempt to re-mine the strait or retaliate through drones or other means remains unknown.
• Whether the mine clearance will translate into a full return of commercial shipping traffic is unclear.
• The timeline and conditions under which secondary sanctions would actually be imposed have not been specified.