Two U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday in what appears to be a first since the war began, according to U.S. Central Command.
CENTCOM confirmed President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. military had begun mine-clearing operations to ensure safe passage through the strait.
The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy “conducted operations” as part of “a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps,” according to the statement. Additional U.S. forces — including underwater drones — will join mine-clearing operations “in the coming days,” according to CENTCOM.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transits the Arabian Sea, Feb. 1, 2026.
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jonteil Johnson/U.S. Navy
“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.
USS Michael Murphy spotted off the coast of Oman on MarineTraffic.
MarineTraffic
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the ships’ movement in a post on X.
“USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps,” Hegseth wrote.
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