U.S. Forces Enforce Naval Blockade and Start Mine Clearance Mission in Strait of Hormuz
Following a presidential directive, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated a strict maritime blockade of all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which officially took effect on April 13. Concurrently, two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, alongside underwater drones, began clearing sea mines previously laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to establish a safe pathway for international commerce in the Strait of Hormuz.
Date: April 13, 2026
Location: Middle East, Iran (Strait of Hormuz)
Conflict: US-Iran Conflict
Category: naval
Severity: CRITICAL
Source: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) / Naval Technology