US Navy robots defuse hidden bombs in Strait of Hormuz under cover of darkness

US Navy divers, small boats, and underwater robots have been carrying out covert night-time operations to clear explosives from the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial oil shipping channel between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The missions, which took place under darkness, were designed to locate and dispose of mines planted in the waterway, according to the Navy’s own account of the work. The strait is one of the world’s most important maritime passages, carrying roughly a fifth of global oil supplies. The operation relied on a mix of human divers and unmanned underwater vehicles. The robots were used to detect and identify threats in deep or dangerous areas, while divers handled the physical removal or detonation of the devices. Small support boats moved quietly through the channel to transport equipment and personnel. Officials described the effort as “risky,” but did not specify who planted the mines or how many were found. The Navy said the goal was to keep the strait open for commercial shipping without triggering a broader conflict. The missions were conducted at night to reduce the chance of detection by hostile forces. The combination of human skill and robotic precision allowed the team to work in one of the most strategically sensitive waterways on Earth. No injuries or damage to US vessels were reported during the operations. The Navy declined to provide further details, citing operational security. The strait has long been a flashpoint for tensions between Iran and Western powers, with past threats to close the waterway in response to sanctions or military pressure. The latest clearing effort underscores how close those threats have come to real-world action.