---
title: "US Navy SEALs Cleared Hormuz Strait Mines in Secret Operation"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-navy-seals-cleared-hormuz-strait-mines-in-secret-operation"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-navy-seals-cleared-hormuz-strait-mines-in-secret-operation"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-navy-seals-cleared-hormuz-strait-mines-in-secret-operation.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-navy-seals-cleared-hormuz-strait-mines-in-secret-operation"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-09-09T21:46:13.785Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-09T17:10:14.725Z"
updated: "2026-09-09T21:46:13.785Z"
trust_score: 60
critic_score: 60
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-09T22:45:35.779466+00:00"
---

# US Navy SEALs Cleared Hormuz Strait Mines in Secret Operation

*Elite divers conducted a four-month mission using advanced technology to remove explosives from a vital shipping lane.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the Financial Times, and two outlets provided full reports.
- Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear and holds together, with specific details provided by the full reports.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. The language is somewhat sensationalized, with headlines emphasizing danger and secrecy.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- US Navy SEALs conducted a four-month operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.
- The mission involved divers, drones, robotic boats, and sonar systems, often operating at night.
- The UN's International Maritime Organization estimated around 80 mines were placed in the Strait.
- President Trump declared the mines removed, but some shipping companies and analysts express skepticism about the waterway's complete security.

US Navy SEALs undertook a four-month covert operation to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane. The mission, which involved divers, drones, robotic boats, and sonar systems, was largely conducted at night to minimise risk. The operation aimed to secure the passage for international shipping, which had been threatened by mines believed to have been placed by Iran.

The United Nations' International Maritime Organization estimated in June that approximately 80 mines had been laid in the Strait of Hormuz. While US President Donald Trump declared in August that all mines had been removed, some shipping companies and maritime analysts remain uncertain about the complete clearance of the waterway. The ease with which the strait could potentially be re-mined has contributed to this uncertainty.

## Disagreement on complete mine removal

While President Trump and the US military stated that all mines had been removed from the Strait of Hormuz, some shipping companies and maritime analysts are skeptical. Novinky.cz reported that ship owners and security advisors are more cautious, believing Americans cleared the southern half near the Omani coast but doubting the entire strait is mine-free. Internewscast noted less consensus on the status of the rest of the waterway, quoting Ethan Connell, an expert on mines, who told the FT that "Iran is certainly trying to re-mine."

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated or centre-rated digests mention the UN's International Maritime Organization's estimate of approximately 80 mines being placed in the Strait of Hormuz. The right-rated digests also do not mention this specific figure, though some refer to "Iranian mines" generally.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 21 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 14% (3)
- Centre: 19% (4)
- Right: 67% (14)

26 of 47 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-09T22:45:35.779466+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-09T23:15:33.809Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Reports from the left-rated outlets focused on the covert nature and risks of the US Navy SEALs' four-month operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Novinky.cz highlighted that the divers worked "under the Iranians' noses" and "predominantly at night," using drones and underwater vehicles. The outlet also noted skepticism from ship owners regarding President Trump's claim of complete mine removal. Aljazeera.net's digest mentioned the "dangerous demining mission" and the ongoing danger of replanting mines, suggesting confidence in the corridor's security had transformed into a "pressure sheet between Washington." UOL's digest described the mission as "secret" and "dangerous."

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports detailed the operational aspects of the US Navy SEALs' four-month mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, often citing the Financial Times. Internewscast described the "high-risk, four-month operation" involving SEAL divers, drones, and sonar systems, noting that much of the effort unfolded "under cover of darkness." The report also mentioned that no US casualties were reported. Marine Insight's digest focused on the "covert nighttime missions" to clear the "strategic waterway." Dailymail.com's digest also highlighted that Navy SEAL divers "reportedly worked under the cover of darkness for four months." Nationalsecurityjournal.org's digest framed the operation as a "strategic master stroke" by Trump, mentioning the detonation of "roughly eighty mines Iran admits laying."

### Right

- Right-rated reports from the digests focused on the US forces' successful completion of a dangerous, secret mission to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Slay News stated that "U.S. forces spent four months carrying out a dangerous operation to clear Iranian sea mines," deploying SEAL divers, drones, and sonar systems. Independent Sentinel's digest noted that "The Trump administration had announced that the U.S. Military cleared all the Iranian mines," while acknowledging the Financial Times explained "how they did it." NewsNation's digest mentioned the use of "robot boats, night dives" to keep divers safe. Latestly.com's digest detailed "How US Navy SEALs Risked a Dangerous 4-Month Mission," including the use of divers, drones, and robotic boats, mostly at night. Gulf News's digest described "How US used Navy divers, underwater drones to clear Strait of Hormuz mines."

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 2
- low: 3
- mixed: 8
- high: 7
- unknown: 27

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Avaz.ba](https://avaz.ba/vijesti/globus/1071330/americke-mornaricke-foke-tajno-cistile-mine-u-hormuskom-moreuzu) — US Navy SEALs Secretly Cleared Mines in the Strait of Hormuz
- [Klix](https://klix.ba/vijesti/svijet/tajna-operacija-amerikanci-poslali-mornaricke-foke-da-ociste-mine-u-hormuskom-moreuzu/260909112) — Secret Operation: Americans Sent Navy SEALs to Clear Mines in the Strait of Hormuz
- [thepoliticalsignal.com](https://thepoliticalsignal.com/navy-seals-risky-covert-mission-in-iran-revealed) — Navy SEALS’ Risky Covert Mission In Iran Revealed - The Political Signal
- [Slay News](https://slaynews.com/navy-seals-four-months-clearing-iranian-mines-strait-hormuz-dangerous-secret-mission) — Navy SEALs Spent Four Months Clearing Iranian Mines from Strait of Hormuz in Dangerous Secret Mission
- [Independent Sentinel](https://independentsentinel.com/this-is-how-the-us-destroyed-all-the-hidden-mines-in-the-strait) — This Is How the US Destroyed All the Hidden Mines in the Strait
- [NewsNation](https://newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/navy-seals-sea-mines-strait-of-hormuz-iran) — Navy SEALs used robot boats, night dives to clear mines from Strait of Hormuz
- [Liner.hu](https://liner.hu/usa-navy-seals-hormuzi-szoros-aknamentesites) — Donald Trump Deployed the Best US Soldiers
- [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://telegraf.rs/vesti/svet/4392559-top-secret-smrtonosna-misija-pod-okriljem-mraka-americke-foke-4-meseca-uklanjale-mine-iz-ormuskog-moreuza) — TOP SECRET Deadly Mission Under Cover of Darkness: "American Seals" Removed Mines From the Strait of Hormuz for 4 Months
- [theashlandchronicle.com](https://theashlandchronicle.com/to-de-mine-the-strait-of-hormuz-requires-navy-seal-divers-to-be-in-significant-danger) — To De-Mine The Strait Of Hormuz - Requires Navy Seal Divers To Be In Significant Danger | The Ashland Chronicle-Oregon
- [TrendingPolitics](https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/u-s-navy-seals-covert-mission-in-iran-revealed-trin) — U.S. Navy SEALS' Covert Mission In Iran Revealed
- [News Addicts](https://newsaddicts.com/hidden-operations-navy-seals-tackle-iranian-sea-mines) — Hidden Operations: Navy SEALs Tackle Iranian Sea Mines
- [nationalsecurityjournal.org](https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/trump-just-pulled-off-a-strategic-master-stroke-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-and-the-worlds-most-important-oil-route-may-never-be-the-same) — Trump Just Pulled Off a Strategic Master Stroke in the Strait of Hormuz — and the World’s Most Important Oil Route May Never Be the Same
- [Novinky.cz](https://novinky.cz/clanek/zahranicni-irancum-pod-nosem-americti-potapeci-za-ctyri-mesice-odminovali-trasu-v-hormuzskem-prulivu-40596687) — Under the Iranians' Noses. American Divers Demined the Route in the Strait of Hormuz in Four Months
- [Townhall](https://townhall.com/news/dmitri-bolt/2026/09/08/heres-how-the-us-military-cleared-iranian-mines-from-the-strait-of-hormuz-n2682593) — US Navy SEALs Went Hunting for Iranian Mines in a Covert Four-Month Operation
- [Marine Insight](https://marineinsight.com/u-s-navy-seals-spent-4-months-conducting-covert-nighttime-missions-to-clear-mines-from-strait-of-hormuz) — U.S Navy SEAL’s Spent 4-Months Conducting Covert Nighttime Missions To Clear Mines From Strait Of Hormuz
- [Unknown](https://eleftherostypos.gr/diethni/mystiki-epicheirisi-ton-navy-seals-sta-stena-tou-ormouz-anatinazan-iranikes-narkes-ston-vytho) — Secret Navy SEAL Operation in the Strait of Hormuz: They Blew up Iranian Mines on the Seabed
- [flash.gr](https://flash.gr/i-mystiki-apostoli-ton-ipa-sto-ormoyz-navy-seals-kai-rompot-kynigoysan-iranikes-narkes-ti-nychta-1080270) — Secret US Mission in Hormuz: Navy SEALs and Robots Hunted Iranian Mines at Night
- [ieidiseis.gr](https://ieidiseis.gr/kosmos/861870/pos-oi-ipa-katharisan-ta-stena-toy-ormoyz-apo-iranikes-narkes-oi-nychterines-apostoles-ton-navy-seals) — How the US Cleared the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian Mines - The Navy SEALs' Night Missions
- [negocios.com](https://negocios.com/articulo/geopolitica/eeuu-toma-ormuz-80-minas-fuera-20-buques-bloqueo/20260908063639493417.html) — US Takes Ormuz: 80 Mines Outside and 20 Blocking Ships
- [NewsFinale](https://newsfinale.com/us/revealed-us-navys-secret-4-month-mission-to-clear-mines) — Revealed: US Navy’s Secret 4-Month Mission to Clear Mines
- [Newsit.gr](https://newsit.gr/kosmos/financial-times-i-mystiki-epixeirisi-ton-ipa-sta-stena-tou-ormouz-navy-seals-eksoudeteronan-narkes-gia-4-mines/4768604) — Financial Times: Secret US Operation in the Strait of Hormuz - Navy Seals Neutralized Mines for 4 Months
- [FNN.jpプライムオンライン](https://fnn.jp/articles/-/1110049) — The US Navy Conducted a Top-Secret Mine-Clearing Operation in the Strait of Hormuz; the Dangerous Work Lasted Approximately Four Months, but It Is Unclear Whether All Mines Were Removed
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16112769/US-Navy-clear-mines-Strait-Hormuz-Iran.html) — US Navy launched mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz
- [sofokleous10.gr](https://sofokleous10.gr/2026/09/08/%CE%BC%CF%85%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%87%CE%B5%CE%AF%CF%81%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%B7%CF%80%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%8D%CE%B6) — Secret US Operation in Hormuz: Navy SEALs Neutralized Iranian Mines for Four Months
- [Latestly](https://latestly.com/us/how-us-navy-seals-risked-a-dangerous-4-month-mission-to-clear-iranian-mines-from-strait-of-hormuz-7594468.html) — How US Navy SEALs Risked a Dangerous 4-Month Mission To Clear Iranian Mines From Strait of Hormuz
- [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/how-us-used-navy-divers-underwater-drones-to-clear-strait-of-hormuz-mines-1.500666159) — How US used Navy divers, underwater drones to clear Strait of Hormuz mines
- [Restoring Liberty](https://joemiller.us/2026/09/us-navy-seals-spent-four-months-demining-the-strait-of-hormuz-in-dangerous-nighttime-mission) — US Navy SEALS Spent Four Months Demining the Strait of Hormuz in Dangerous, Nighttime Mission
- [Flying Eze](https://flyingeze.com/navy-seals-blew-iranian-mines-hormuz) — Navy SEALS Unleash Fury: Destroy Dozens of Iranian Mines in Covert...
- [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/kosmos/navy-seals-aporriti-epiheirisi-ipa-steno-toy-ormoyz) — In the Dark and with Navy SEALs: The Secret US Operation in the Strait of Hormuz to Neutralize Mines - iefimerida.gr
- [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1875379/mustiki-epiheirisi-ton-ipa-sto-ormouz-oi-navy-seals-exoudeteronan-epi-tesseris-mines-iranikes-narkes) — Secret US Operation in Hormuz: Navy SEALs Neutralized Iranian Mines for Four Months
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/us-navy-seals-spent-4-months-demining-strait-of-hormuz-in-high-risk-night-missions) — US Navy SEALs Spent 4 Months Demining Strait of Hormuz in High-Risk Night Missions
- [aljazeera.net](https://aljazeera.net/politics/2026/9/7/%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%ae%d9%84-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d9%87%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ae%d8%b7%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d9%84%d9%86%d8%b2%d8%b9-%d8%a3%d9%84%d8%ba%d8%a7%d9%85-%d9%85%d8%b6%d9%8a%d9%82) — Inside the Dangerous Demining Mission of the Strait of Hormuz
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/07/2574134.html) — According to the Financial Times, the US Navy secretly conducted a dangerous four-month operation to clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian mines using Navy Seals, drones and sonar technology
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/07/world-news/us-navy-seals-spent-four-months-demaining-the-strait-of-hormuz-in-dangerous-nighttime-mission) — US Navy SEALS spent four months demining the Strait of Hormuz in dangerous, nighttime mission
- [The Zambian Observer](https://zambianobserver.com/u-s-conducted-secret-four-month-mine-clearing-operation-in-strait-of-hormuz) — U.S. CONDUCTED SECRET FOUR-MONTH MINE-CLEARING OPERATION IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ
- [Do Rzeczy](https://dorzeczy.pl/swiat/939529/tajna-operacja-usa-komandosi-rozminowywali-ciesnine-ormuz.html) — US Commandos in the Strait of Hormuz. The Purpose of the Covert Operation Has Been Revealed.
- [Onet](https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/swiat/tajna-operacja-usa-w-cisnienie-ormuz-media-ujawniaja-szczegoly/6jhx3wm) — Commandos in the Strait of Hormuz. Media Revealed Secret US Operation
- [hromadske.ua](https://hromadske.ua/en/world/270628-us-navy-carried-out-secret-four-month-mine-clearing-operation-in-strait-of-hormuz-ft) — US Navy carried out secret four-month mine-clearing operation in Strait of Hormuz
- [liga.net](https://news.liga.net/ua/world/news/ft-ssha-chotyry-misiatsi-taiemno-rozminovuvaly-ormuzku-protoku) — FT: The US Secretly Depopulated the Strait of Hormuz for Four Months
- [Javanews.al](https://javanews.al/zbulohet-misioni-sekret-amerikan-per-pastrimin-e-hormuzit) — US Secret Mission to Clear Hormuz Revealed
- [Rzeczpospolita](https://rp.pl/konflikty-zbrojne/art45105381-ft-amerykanscy-komandosi-brali-udzial-w-tajnej-operacji-rozminowywania-ciesniny-ormuz) — "FT": American Commandos Took Part in a Secret Mine-Clearing Operation in the Strait of Hormuz
- [UOL](https://noticias.uol.com.br/internacional/ultimas-noticias/2026/09/07/seals-fazem-missao-secreta-para-retirar-minas-no-estreito-de-hormuz.ghtm) — U.S. Sailors Make Secret Mission to Clear Mines in Hormuz
- [rmf24.pl](https://rmf24.pl/fakty/swiat/news-plywali-nocami-tuz-pod-nosem-wroga-tajna-operacja-komandosow,nIdn,1016709) — They Swam at Night Right Under the Nose of the Enemy. Secret Commando Operation in the Strait of Hormuz
- [i24NEWS](https://i24news.tv/en/news/international/americas/artc-us-conducted-secret-four-month-mission-to-clear-iranian-mines-from-strait-of-hormuz-report) — US conducted secret four-month mission to clear Iranian mines from Strait of Hormuz
- [WIN](https://worldisraelnews.com/navy-seals-carried-out-secret-operation-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-report) — Navy SEALs carried out secret operation in the Strait of Hormuz
- [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1747191/43/mengapa-pasukan-khusus-navy-seal-as-turun-ke-selat-hormuz-misi-4-bulan-berburu-ranjau-iran-1788764960) — Why Did US Navy SEALs Go Down to the Strait of Hormuz? A 4-Month Mission to Hunt Iranian Mines
- [arabtimesonline.com](https://arabtimesonline.com/news/us-conducted-covert-four-month-mission-to-clear-mines-from-strait-of-hormuz-ft) — US Conducted Covert Four-Month Mission to Clear Mines From Strait of Hormuz: FT

## Questions

**What was the US Navy's operation in the Strait of Hormuz?**

US Navy SEALs conducted a four-month covert operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The mission involved divers, drones, robotic boats, and sonar systems, largely operating at night to ensure the safety of personnel and secure a vital shipping lane.

**How many mines were estimated to be in the Strait of Hormuz?**

The UN's International Maritime Organization estimated in June that approximately 80 mines had been placed in the Strait of Hormuz. This figure was cited in some reports detailing the mine-clearing operation.

**Was the Strait of Hormuz completely cleared of mines?**

President Trump declared that all mines had been removed, but some shipping companies and maritime analysts expressed skepticism. Reports indicate that while areas near the Omani coast may have been cleared, uncertainty remains about the complete security of the entire waterway.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-navy-seals-cleared-hormuz-strait-mines-in-secret-operation. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US Navy SEALs Cleared Hormuz Strait Mines in Secret Operation", https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-navy-seals-cleared-hormuz-strait-mines-in-secret-operation