Trump Announces Strait of Hormuz Cleared of Mines as Iran Pressure Builds

ERUSALEM, Israel – President Trump announced on Tuesday that the U.S. military has cleared the Strait of Hormuz of mines, removing another obstacle to traffic on the vital waterway. While administration officials cautioned this week that the military option against the Tehran regime is still an option, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told his foreign counterparts on Tuesday that the economic moves take precedence over military strikes. China is pushing back against the pressure campaign. Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesman, warned against what the government calls “illegal unilateral sanctions,” saying, “China will do everything necessary to firmly safeguard its rights and interests.”