US 'clearing out' Strait of Hormuz: Trump

The US has begun operations to clear out the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday.

"We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others," Trump said on Truth Social.

He asserted that sea mines were the only threat that remained for vessels going through the strait, adding that all 28 of Iran's mine-laying vessels were "lying at the bottom of the sea."

Trump's remarks came as US and Iranian delegations are holding Pakistan-mediated talks in Islamabad, aimed at ending the broader regional conflict amid a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered earlier this week.

US Vice President JD Vance leads the American delegation, which includes special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

During the talks, Iran is represented by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Earlier, Axios reported that several US navy ships on Saturday crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first instance of such an event since the beginning of the US-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28.

Meanwhile, Iran denied any US vessel crossed the strait, according to the local media.

In a separate post, Trump said he is watching fertilizer prices "closely."

"The United States will not accept price gouging from the fertilizer monopoly! American Farmers, we have your back!" he added.