Washington Affirms Strait of Hormuz Free of Iranian Sea Mines

The military standoff between the United States and Iran continues to escalate as the Central Command confirmed the Strait of Hormuz remains free and clear of Iranian sea mines, while the Iranian army announced it shot down an American drone over the strategic southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Amid the military developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his warnings over Iran’s nuclear program, while Iranian leaders called for a campaign to cut gas consumption by at least 10 percent, with officials anticipating shortages as winter approaches.