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A floating object suspected to be a naval mine was spotted in the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters on Saturday, deepening concerns about the safety of the critical waterway even as U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was lifting the American blockade, which was denied by Iranian media later.
Oman's Maritime Security Center issued the alert on Saturday, warning seafarers, fishermen and vessels to steer clear.
"Due to the sighting of a floating object suspected to be a naval mine west of the Inshore Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters, the Maritime Security Centre urges all seafarers, fishermen, and vessels to exercise the utmost caution while navigating in the area," the Centre posted on X.
It added: "All maritime users are advised to keep a safe distance from any suspicious objects and report them immediately to the relevant authorities."
Hours earlier, Trump had signaled a significant shift, announcing on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian shipping would be lifted, framing it as the first tangible step toward an agreement to end the conflict.
"Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented naval blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of 'heading home!'" Trump wrote, adding, "Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite president!"
The announcement came as Trump met with advisers in the White House Situation Room on Friday to consider what he called a "final determination" on a proposed 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran.
Despite the presidential announcement, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a maritime security authority, issued an advisory warning that the threat level in the strait remains "critical" and that enforcement remains active.
"A military blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect, restricting all traffic inbound and outbound from these ports," the UKMTO said.
"Ships aiding vessels violating the blockade by conducting ship-to-ship transfers with them are also in violation of the blockade. Enforcement actions include disabling and destructive fires upon vessels that do not demonstrate immediate compliance with blockading forces," the statement noted.
The advisory also cautioned that the U.S. Navy could not guarantee the safety of neutral or commercial ships in the area.
The gap between Trump's announcement and the standing UKMTO guidance underscored the operational uncertainty still surrounding the waterway, which has been largely closed to international commercial traffic since Iran shut it down after the war began on Feb. 28.
The waterway, through which roughly 20% of the world's oil and gas normally flows, has been effectively closed since late February.
Commercial shipping has largely halted, and insurers and cargo operators have been wary of transiting even as diplomatic efforts inch toward a deal that would reopen it.
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