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2026-04-14 Science & Technology

CENTCOM using underwater drones to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz

[JP] As ceasefire talks hit a stalemate in Pakistan, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that it will be sending underwater drones to help clear the Strait of Hormuz.

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage, and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, as quoted as saying.

The press release added that “The Strait of Hormuz is an international sea passage and an essential trade corridor that supports regional and global economic prosperity. Additional US forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days.”

During the war, The New York Times reported that Iran had started laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz – effectively closing off the critical waterway to international shipping. About 20% of the world’s oil moves through that important chokepoint, as well as 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas. # id) ?>

Posted by Skidmark 2026-04-14 00:00|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1854 views ] Top
File under: Govt of Iran

1 Flurry Of Navy Minesweepers Appear To Be Heading Toward The Middle East

Posted by Skidmark 2026-04-14 07:19|| 2026-04-14 07:19|| Front Page Top

2 Seems like mines would not be useful to the Iranians if they plans to load their own tankers.

Posted by Super Hose 2026-04-14 11:57|| 2026-04-14 11:57|| Front Page Top

3 I haven’t seen any pix of recovered mines. It’s easy to say you are clearing mines - nobody is watching you do it. Maybe I’m just a little too cynical about government statements that “they are doing something”

Posted by Gloluns Turkeyneck4904 2026-04-14 12:05|| 2026-04-14 12:05|| Front Page Top

4 Sweeping mines is fine. They could have mined the main channel to force ships into the tollbooth. I would have thought we would have seen them doing it. There will be video of the mines being blown up if any are detected.

Posted by Super Hose 2026-04-14 12:31|| 2026-04-14 12:31|| Front Page Top

5 There will be video of the mines being blown up if any are detected.

Better yet, drag them into Iranian ports

Posted by Frank G 2026-04-14 12:55|| 2026-04-14 12:55|| Front Page Top

6 Palmer Luckey to the white courtesy phone...

Anduril has working this for years. Some of the stuff on open source is amazing.

Posted by Bangkok Billy 2026-04-14 13:57|| 2026-04-14 13:57|| Front Page Top

7 ~~Western Union~~ minesweepers

Posted by Pearl Noodleman5221 2026-04-14 22:08|| 2026-04-14 22:08|| Front Page Top

8 A great tech, test & train moment...

Posted by Alpha2c 2026-04-14 22:20|| 2026-04-14 22:20|| Front Page Top

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