US says warships passed Hormuz amid ongoing talks with Iran

US Central Command (Centcom) said on Saturday that two US warships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz to start clearing away mines laid by Iran.

"Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce," said Centcom commander Admiral Brad Cooper.

Iran had earlier reported warning US warships not to enter the strait, threatening to attack the vessels. The US denied receiving such a warning.

ran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has rejected the reports that US warships passed through the Strait of Hormuz for mine-clearing operations.

A spokesperson was cited by Tasnim as saying: "The claim by the Centcom commander that US vessels have approached and entered the Strait of Hormuz is strongly denied, and the passage of any vessel is only at the initiative of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

US Central Command (Centcom) earlier stated that two US warships had passed through the strait. Neither claim could be independently verified.

The war has seen repeated cases of the US and Iran giving contradictory statements about events.

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