Strait of Hormuz shipping stays high-risk despite US mine-clearance claims

US President Donald Trump claimed the US Navy cleared all sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran dismissed the assertion, saying the strait remains closed and warning that US mine-detection vessels would become targets. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said only Iran knows the mine locations, calling Trump's comments an attempt to calm markets. Iran and Oman agreed on a joint mine-clearing project and a temporary transit route, though analysts say the US assessment of cleared shipping lanes is credible. Experts caution that uncharted or drifting mines may remain outside monitored lanes, and Iran retains the ability to lay more. War-risk insurance premiums have soared from 1-3 percent to 7.5-10 percent of hull value, with drones and missiles posing greater threats than mines.