'Iran's Leadership Is Dead': Trump Says US 'Clearing' Hormuz After Two Warships Cross Waterway

Last Updated:April 11, 2026, 22:23 IST

Trump asserted that Iran was "losing big" and the US military had destroyed 28 mine-laying vessels in an attempt to "clear" the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the United States has started the “process of clearing out" the Strait of Hormuz after reports surfaced that two US warships crossed the vital waterway, which would mark the first such transit since the war began in February.

As US-Iran talks began in Islamabad in a bid to secure a deal to end the six-week war, Trump asserted that Iran was “losing big" and their military capabilities, along with missile and drone facilities, were completely obliterated. He also said at least 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels have been destroyed.

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favour to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others. Incredibly, they don’t have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves," he said.

‘Iran’s Leadership Is Dead’

In another tweet, Trump ranted against “fake news media" and said, “The United States has completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force, and everything else. Their Leadership is DEAD! The Strait of Hormuz will soon be open, and the empty ships are rushing to the United States to “load up"."

His remarks came as two US warships have reportedly passed through the Strait of Hormuz, the first such transit since the war with Iran began. The US Navy guided-missile destroyers passed through the strait with no issues reported, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing three US officials.

Axios reported that the operation was not coordinated with authorities in Tehran. However, Iranian state media quoted a senior military official as denying that any US vessel had entered the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces have begun setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as two US Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations.

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, it said.

The key shipping lane off the coast of Iran has been virtually blocked by Tehran since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran on February 28, though reopening the strait remains a key condition of the shaky two-week ceasefire put in place earlier this week.

The US’s move came despite Iranian Navy’s order to commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz that they must obtain prior approval before transiting the critical waterway. It warned vessels via radio that any ship attempting to pass without permission would face destruction.

News world 'Iran's Leadership Is Dead': Trump Says US 'Clearing' Hormuz After Two Warships Cross Waterway

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