Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships

The U.S. is using drones and legacy ships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after retiring most of its minesweepers, amid Iran's threats to block the critical shipping lane. The crisis has led to a naval standoff, with Iran laying mines and the U.S. imposing a blockade on Iranian ports.

The U.S. is using drones and limited mine countermeasure ships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian threats to block the critical shipping lane. The Navy's recent retirement of dedicated minesweepers has left it relying on older vessels and unmanned systems, complicating efforts to clear mines laid by Iran.