U.S. naval vessels received a warning from Iranian forces while operating in the Strait of Hormuz during efforts to clear sea mines from the critical shipping route, according to a report.
Get today's headlines by email 
The incident occurred as American military ships began operations to secure the waterway, a key corridor for global oil transport, following heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Radio exchange during naval operation
According to a report by the The Wall Street Journal, the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) transmitted a warning message to a U.S. destroyer navigating the strait.
“This is the last warning. This is the last warning,” Iranian forces reportedly radioed to one of two American destroyers operating in the area.
The U.S. vessel replied that it was navigating in line with international maritime law and had no intention of challenging Iranian forces. The response also referenced the temporary ceasefire between the two sides.
“Passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you, and I intend to abide by rules of our government’s cease-fire,” the American ship reportedly said in its response.
US mission to clear mines
The operation took place as the U.S. military began preparations to remove naval mines from the strategic waterway. The effort is being coordinated by U.S. Central Command (Centcom), which oversees American military operations in the region.
Centcom said its forces had started setting conditions for mine-clearing activities in the strait. The command added that two guided-missile destroyers — the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and the USS Michael Murphy — had transited the passage and were operating in the Arabian Gulf.
The ships are part of a wider mission intended to ensure the strait is safe for shipping after mines were previously laid in the area by Iranian forces.
Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said the military had begun establishing a safe maritime route.
“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,” he said.
Iran denies US passage
Iran disputed the claim that American warships had moved through the strait.
In a statement posted in Persian on X, the IRGC navy said it maintained strict control over the passageway and denied reports that U.S. ships had entered it.
“The IRGC Navy fully and authoritatively manages the intelligent control of the Strait of Hormuz,” the force said.
It added that only non-military vessels were permitted to pass through the waterway under its regulations and warned that any attempt by military ships to cross would face a firm response.
Strategic shipping route
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a large share of global oil shipments.
Iran previously threatened to block or disrupt traffic through the waterway after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iranian targets. In response, the IRGC laid naval mines and warned commercial vessels against using the route.
Those threats led to a sharp drop in shipping traffic through the strait and triggered a spike in global oil prices.
Efforts by U.S. forces to remove the mines are intended to restore safe passage and stabilise maritime trade through the region.
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 April 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment