JP:  CENTCOM using underwater drones to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that it will be sending underwater drones to help clear the Strait of Hormuz.

Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage, and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce.

Europe is so embarrassing.

Iran is estimated to have between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines, and upward of 80-90% of its small boats and mine layers, making it possible to lay hundreds of mines in the waterway. On Saturday, US officials said that Iran reportedly lost track of the locations of mines deployed in the Strait of Hormuz and has no clear idea of where all the mines were placed.

Fair enough.  A bunch of crazy mullahs can’t be expected to know where their lackeys dropped all of the mines.  Or, they aren’t willing to say. 

How is it safe for any ship, authorized or led by anyone, to travel through the Strait of Hormuz?

The US didn’t create the problem or need the Strait of Hormuz, but we will clean it up.

When that’s all done, France will boldly come in to manage the peace.

WSJ:  Europe Drafts Postwar Plan to Free Up Hormuz Without the US

French president Macron announced his plan for a coalition after the work is done.

European countries are putting together a plan for a broad coalition of countries to help free up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including sending mine-clearing and other military vessels. But the plan would only come after the war and may exclude one country in particular: the U.S.

Like him or not, trust President Trump to call bullshit on Macron’s tardy leadership. 

It’s clueless behavior, like Macron’s announcement, that supports the idea of charging commercial shipping to pass through the strait until the US military expenditure is paid off.