The U.S. says 2 naval destroyers transit the Strait of Hormuz in a first since the Iran war began

ISLAMABAD (AP) - The U.S. says 2 naval destroyers transit the Strait of Hormuz in a first since the Iran war began. The U.S. military on Saturday prepared for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz as two Navy destroyers transited the waterway through which 20% of the world's oil normally flows, U.S. Central Command said in a news release.

The destroyers are part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, CENTCOM stated.

Iran's state media said earlier on Saturday that it had forced a U.S. military ship that was attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz to turn around.

The strait has been effectively closed to most oil and gas freighters since the U.S. and Israel began to strike Israel on Feb. 28. Cease-fire talks are now underway in Pakistan.