Britain and France have finalized plans to lead a multinational mine‑clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz within days of a US‑Iran agreement to reopen the shipping lane. Military planners from several countries are in late‑stage preparations to join efforts to clear mines laid by the IRGC. President Trump downplayed the threat on Wednesday, saying US forces have "cleared most of the mines"; Secretary of State Rubio told senators a day earlier that Iran had placed mines across much of the S

Britain and France have finalized plans to lead a multinational mine‑clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz within days of a US‑Iran agreement to reopen the shipping lane. Military planners from several countries are in late‑stage preparations to join efforts to clear mines laid by the IRGC. President Trump downplayed the threat on Wednesday, saying US forces have "cleared most of the mines"; Secretary of State Rubio told senators a day earlier that Iran had placed mines across much of the Strait. Trump said the waterway would reopen "immediately" once Iran signs a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities, but negotiators remain deadlocked over terms and Iran's foreign minister said Thursday there has been no progress amid Israel's continued offensive in southern Lebanon.