US forces began preparing to clear sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, as Washington and Tehran continue talks in Islamabad in a day of fast-moving diplomacy and military signalling.
The US Central Command announced it had begun “setting conditions” for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz,” by sending two US Navy guided-missile destroyers to transit through the key passage.
“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.
CENTCOM said the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy were operating in the area, adding that additional US assets, including underwater drones, would join the effort in the coming days.
Earlier, there were conflicting accounts of naval movements in the strait as talks between US and Iranian officials got under way.
Meanwhile, at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, the first direct talks between the two sides in more than a decade appeared to conclude an initial phase, capping a day of intense diplomacy.
The two delegations were exchanging texts, according to reports from Iran’s Tasnim News agency.
