The Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical energy chokepoint, stayed effectively closed to normal commercial traffic Sunday as U.S. naval forces hunted Iranian mines and Iran continued seizing vessels, even as a fragile ceasefire entered its third week and indirect talks resumed in Pakistan.
U.S. officials confirmed Saturday that Navy teams are actively clearing explosive mines laid by Iranian forces, describing the operation as part of a broader push to reopen the waterway through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and significant liquefied natural gas volumes normally pass. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is "growing and going global," with a second aircraft carrier expected to join operations soon.
