DID Press: Mike Adams, a controversial U.S. writer and media personality, has challenged President Donald Trump’s claims that the Strait of Hormuz has been cleared of mines and that commercial shipping through the strategic waterway is returning to normal.
Adams alleged that a large oil tanker attempting to transit the southern route of the strait near Oman struck two mines and was forced to stop after catching fire. His claim has not been independently verified.
His comments come after Trump said on Aug. 25 that the U.S. Navy had cleared or detonated all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
Adams argued that the incident showed the United States does not have full control of the waterway and claimed that shipping traffic had fallen by about 90% compared with levels before the war with Iran.
Recent shipping data confirms that traffic through the strait remains sharply below normal levels. Reuters reported that only five vessels transited the waterway on Monday, compared with a 10-day average of about 14 vessels, and no liquid tankers were among those recorded.
U.S. officials, meanwhile, have said the military has significantly expanded its control over the main shipping lanes after a months-long mine-clearing operation. Axios reported that more than 200 mine-like objects had been removed from the main lane, although U.S. officials said only 11 were confirmed to be actual mines.
Adams also accused Trump of providing misleading information about the war and using AI-generated videos to portray military achievements. Such accusations are disputed and should be treated as claims unless independently verified.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint in the U.S.-Iran conflict, with maritime traffic still substantially disrupted and renewed attacks on shipping reported in recent days.