| Reported: 18 June 2026 | Position: Not Confirmed |
| Location: Strait of Hormuz | |
Incident Details. JMIC issued Advisory Note 009-26 on 18 June 2026, confirming the Strait of Hormuz (SoH) is open to commercial navigation following the cessation of U.S.-Iran hostilities and the formalisation of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding. The maritime security threat level in the SoH has been reduced to MODERATE. Active mine clearance operations are ongoing; the International Traffic Separation Scheme (ITSS) is currently unsafe and must be avoided. A confirmed mine has been located at Lat. 26°24′34.920″N, Long. 056°20′40.128″E. The Southern transit route, along Omani TTW is clear of mines and is the recommended route.
Fig1. Recommended Transit Route
Comment. Iranian forces conducted mine-laying operations across the SoH during the 2026 US-Iran conflict, prompting CENTCOM to commence clearance operations in April 2026. Pentagon assessments estimated full clearance could take up to six months. The broader context to the reopening is the formalisation of a 14-point US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, signed on 19 June 2026, which mandated the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and the toll-free restoration of commercial navigation through the SoH.
Assessment. The SoH is to be treated as a conditionally open waterway with a live, unquantified mine threat until formal mine-free route declarations are issued. The southern corridor along Omani Territorial Waters remains the sole verified mine-clear route and should be used exclusively, transiting the following waypoints: 26°02′43.080″N 056°00′41.040″E → 26°22′33.900″N 056°16′56.040″E → 26°24′21.300″N 056°22′59.700″E → 26°24′45.120″N 056°31′06.660″E → 26°22′06.180″N 056°33′25.260″E → 26°00′00.000″N 056°33′18.000″E. Masters are to maintain continuous VHF watch and comply with all naval hailing. Operators should contact NAVCENT NCAGS at [email protected] for updated routing prior to transit. Any security incidents should be reported to UKMTO at [email protected] / +44 (0)2392 222060.
