Bloomberg: US allies warn Hormuz is still mined despite Trump claim

US allies are privately warning that the Strait of Hormuz is still likely mined, casting doubt on President Donald Trump's claim that the US Navy has completely removed and detonated explosives laid by Iran, Report informs, citing Bloomberg.

The agency noted that the US is likely to have made some progress in removing mines in international waters, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal assessments. But they believe that demining efforts haven't cleared all of the estimated 80 to 150 mines laid by Iran.

That assessment challenges Trump's repeated statements in recent days that the strait has been cleared. On Wednesday, he called Hormuz "a very functioning strait" and repeated his claim that no mines remained.

"The mines are gone. You probably saw that - we put it out yesterday - all the mines, we got rid of the mines," he said on "The Glenn Beck Program."

US Central Command on Wednesday declined to comment on estimates on mines in Hormuz.

Trump has repeatedly insisted the strait is safe, as part of an administration-wide effort to calm energy markets as he looks to end the six-month war heading into midterm elections in November.

Allied officials believe the task also has become more complicated because many mines - even those that have been identified and laid in clusters - are likely to have drifted from their original position due to sea currents.

They caution that giving commercial shippers more confidence to transit the strait requires an international effort that combines the use of sophisticated de-mining equipment with air and naval protection. Allies want Iran to grant Oman permission to launch such a mission in Omani waters to ensure no vessels are attacked.