Washington: Things are getting really bad in the Gulf. The United States says its warships have started going through the Strait of Hormuz to remove mines. Iran says this is not true and is warning the US of consequences if they keep their warships in the waterway.
The US Central Command says two of its warships the USS Frank E. Peterson and the USS Michael Murphy are now in the Strait of Hormuz to clear out mines that the US claims Iran put there. The goal is to make sure it is safe for ships to go through and that trade can keep moving. The US might also use drones to help with this job.
Admiral Brad Cooper, who is in charge of the US Central Command says this is part of a plan to make the Strait of Hormuz safe for all ships. This is important because a lot of oil goes through this strait.
Iran is saying no the US warships are not in the strait. Irans military says they are in control of who can go through the strait. The Revolutionary Guards are warning that if any foreign warships try to go they will be dealt with severely. They say only some civilian ships can go through and only if they follow the rules.
US President Donald Trump says the US has started to clear out the strait. He says this is necessary to keep trade safe. He also says that Irans sea mines are still a threat to ships in the area.
All of this is happening after a ceasefire. The US, Israel and Iran were fighting,. Now they have stopped. One of the conditions of the ceasefire was that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened.. Now with both sides arguing and tensions rising it is not clear if this will happen.
Officials from the US and Iran have been talking in Pakistan trying to reduce tensions.. With both sides refusing to back down people are getting worried, about the safety of the worlds oil supply and trade routes. The Strait of Hormuz is an important place and what happens there can affect the whole world.
