President Donald Trump has warned Iran against planting new mines in the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran and Oman discuss a temporary maritime corridor aimed at easing the passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway.
Trump said the United States had cleared mines from the strait and warned Iran that any attempt to lay new mines would face a forceful response. Reuters reported that Trump has previously made similar claims, while shipping activity through the waterway remains far below pre-war levels.
Iran and Oman said they had resumed discussions on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and were working on a temporary navigational corridor. The two countries also agreed to cooperate on mine clearance.
The developments come as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a prolonged standoff despite a reduction in direct hostilities. The strait has emerged as one of the central pressure points in the conflict because it is a major route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
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Shipping traffic remains severely disrupted. Reuters reported that only five commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of 15. The data suggested that maritime traffic had yet to return to normal despite efforts to improve navigation.
An oil tanker was also struck by an unidentified projectile near the entrance to the strait, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, underscoring the continuing risks for commercial shipping.
The dispute over Hormuz has also affected global energy markets. Brent crude has remained elevated compared with pre-war levels, while the prolonged disruption has pushed governments in Europe and Asia to accelerate efforts to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and Gulf energy routes.
Barron Trump threat draws Secret Service attention
Separately, the U.S. Secret Service said it was aware of an Iranian state television video discussing an alleged plot against Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump.
The video, which was broadcast on Iranian state television, discussed a potential assassination plot involving the 20-year-old and alleged that a $10 million bounty had been offered for his killing, according to Reuters reporting carried by The Economic Times.
The Secret Service’s acknowledgment of the video adds another sensitive dimension to the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
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U.S. weighs diplomatic signals
At the same time, the United States has begun returning some personnel to diplomatic missions in the Middle East that had been evacuated or reduced because of the conflict, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.
The move could indicate that Washington sees a reduced immediate risk of a wider escalation, although some missions are expected to operate below normal staffing levels.
The United States has also intensified economic pressure on Iran, threatening penalties against countries that continue doing business with Tehran. Iran has condemned the measures as unlawful and said it expects other countries to resist Washington’s campaign.
For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the confrontation, with diplomatic efforts to establish a safe shipping corridor unfolding alongside continued military and economic pressure.