US Navy Operations to Remove Underwater Mines in the Strait of Hormuz

Apr 26, 2026, 03:59

Introduction

The United States government has started naval operations to remove Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The goal is to restore commercial shipping and reduce global economic instability.

Main Body

President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy is currently clearing underwater explosives from the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20 percent of the world's oil. This action is part of a strategy to stabilize energy prices and lower political risks. To support these efforts, the President has authorized the military to engage any vessel seen placing mines in the area. According to a classified briefing, the removal process could take up to six months. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not confirm a specific date, he emphasized that the military has the ability to neutralize the mines. The operation includes two littoral combat ships and two minesweepers from Japan. The Navy is using various tools, such as remote-controlled vehicles, sonar, laser-equipped helicopters, and specialized divers to find and destroy the explosives. Experts claim that Iran likely has thousands of mines, including old Soviet models and newer versions from China. These devices are fixed to the seabed and are triggered by sound or pressure. Analysts pointed out that it is much easier to lay mines using small boats than it is to find and remove them, which makes the operation difficult. Furthermore, insurance companies report that ship owners are now seeking certifications from Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage, as the fear of undetected mines may continue to discourage commercial shipping even after the US operations are complete.

Conclusion

The US Navy is carrying out a difficult operation to secure a vital oil route. However, it remains unclear if these efforts will fully restore confidence in commercial shipping due to the technical and psychological challenges of detecting underwater mines.

Vocabulary Learning

discourage (v.)
deter / to make someone less confident or enthusiastic about doing something使洩氣；阻礙；勸阻
Example:High tax rates may discourage foreign companies from investing in the local market.
neutralize (v.)
counteract / to stop something from being effective or harmful使無效；中和；消除
Example:The bomb squad was called in to neutralize the suspicious package found at the station.
restore (v.)
bring back / to return something to an earlier good condition or position恢復；修復
Example:The government is working hard to restore public confidence in the banking system.
vessel (n.)
ship / a large boat or ship船隻；艦艇
Example:The coast guard spotted an unidentified vessel entering the territorial waters.
vital (adj.)
essential / extremely important or necessary for something to succeed極其重要的；必不可少的
Example:Maintaining a secure supply of energy is vital for the country's economic growth.

Sentence Learning

President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy is currently clearing underwater explosives from the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20 percent of the world's oil.
Appositive Phrase: This noun phrase provides essential background information about the 'Strait of Hormuz' without a relative pronoun.同位語短語：此名詞短語在不使用關係代名詞的情況下，為「霍爾木茲海峽」提供必要的背景資訊。
To support these efforts, the President has authorized the military to engage any vessel seen placing mines in the area.
Reduced Relative Clause: The past participle 'seen' functions as a shortened relative clause (which is seen) to describe the 'vessel'.簡略關係子句：過去分詞「seen」充當簡化的關係子句（即 which is seen），用作修飾名詞「vessel」（船隻）。
While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not confirm a specific date, he emphasized that the military has the ability to neutralize the mines.
Concessive Clause: The conjunction 'While' is used to introduce a contrast between the lack of a date and the military's confidence.讓步子句：連接詞「While」用於引出「未確認日期」與「軍方信心」之間的對比。
These devices are fixed to the seabed and are triggered by sound or pressure.
Passive Voice: The use of 'are fixed' and 'are triggered' focuses on the objects and the technical process rather than the actor.被動語態：使用「are fixed」和「are triggered」旨在將焦點放在物體本身及技術過程，而非執行動作的人。
Analysts pointed out that it is much easier to lay mines using small boats than it is to find and remove them, which makes the operation difficult.
Sentential Relative Clause: The relative pronoun 'which' refers back to the entire preceding statement to explain a consequence.修飾整個句子的關係子句：關係代名詞「which」指代前面提到的整個情況，用以解釋其導致的後果。