UPDATED: Two U.S. Warships Sail Through Strait of Hormuz to Establish New Route for Merchant Ships

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | APRIL 11, 2026 2:05 PM - UPDATED: APRIL 12, 2026 5:06 PM | HEATHER MONGILIO AND SAM LAGRONE

[Retain Mike]

USS Frank E. Petersen (DDG-121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) operated in the Persian Gulf after transiting the strait as part of the U.S. plan to “ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines,” according to a Saturday U.S. Central Command news release. Frank E. Petersen is part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, while Michael Murphy is an independently-deployed destroyer, according to USNI News’ Fleet and Marine Tracker. The pair of ships transited back through the strait to the Gulf of Oman, according to ship spotters.

How the U.S. will clear the strait remains an open question. Over the last year, the Navy has made major changes to mine countermeasures in the Middle East. Last year, three Littoral Combat Ships replaced four Avenger-class Mine Countermeasure ships. USS Canberra (LCS-30), the first Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship with the first purpose-built MCM package, deployed in May to U.S. 5th Fleet with USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32) and USS Tulsa (LCS-16) arriving later last year.

This week, two Japan-based Avenger-class minesweepers were dispatched toward U.S. Central Command. USS Pioneer (MCM-9) and USS Chief (MCM-14) came into port in Singapore after transiting the South China Sea. A U.S. 5th Fleet spokesperson declined to comment on the destination of Pioneer and Chief when asked by USNI News earlier this week.

In addition to LCS MCM packages and the Avengers, the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal community has 16 expeditionary MCM companies that use a combination of divers and unmanned systems that can operate on vessels of opportunity for mine-clearing operations. Those companies have deployed extensively in the Middle East, USNI News has reported.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: commieshasthesads; democratshasthesads; hormuz; iran; navy

[Carry_Okie]

Thoughts on mine sweeping.

[Destroyer Sailor]

And these leftists have said that Donald Trump had no plan when he started Epic Fury. You cannot believe anything they say or they are incredibly stupid.

[Ken H]

They are NOT stupid. It is dangerous and naive to think of them as such, IMO. Everything they do is calculated.

[Brian Griffin]

“Everything they do is calculated.”

https://legalclarity.org/a-brief-history-of-the-u-s-corporate-tax-system/

[Brian Griffin]

Mr. Israeli Submarine Commander:

Here are some Iranian mines we found.

Obviously, they belong to Iran and Iran deserves to have them back.

Don’t get too close to Iranian shores.

[Seruzawa]

Go Navy.

[SunkenCiv]

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[Carry_Okie]

Obviously, they belong to Iran and Iran deserves to have them back.

If an Iranian mine sinks a Chinese tanker, so much the better.