Commentary by Rich Corbett
Jonathan Last’s Triad column in The Bulwark slams the Trump administration for decommissioning four Avenger-class minesweepers from Bahrain in 2025, calling it incompetent amid reports of Iran laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. But this ignores battlefield realities, the planned transition to modern systems and my preferred America-First approach: Decisively disarm Iran, then let dependent nations secure their own oil lifeline.
Recent reports confirm limited mining — fewer than 10 to about a dozen mines deployed so far, not a mass closure. US forces have already sunk 16 Iranian minelayers and other vessels, crippling Iran's ability to sustain large-scale mining. With Iran's navy gutted and no air cover, full mining remains a desperate last resort as the regime weakens.
The decommissioning of the four Avenger-class ships (USS Devastator, Dextrous, Gladiator, Sentry) after 30+ years of service was planned. They were retired in 2025 and departed Bahrain in January 2026. They’ve been replaced by Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (USS Canberra, Santa Barbara, Tulsa) equipped with advanced Mine Countermeasures Mission Packages — unmanned surface vehicles, towed sonars, helicopter-borne systems, and standoff neutralization tools far beyond the old Avengers' capabilities. The Navy designed this shift to remove sailors from minefields and enable legacy ship retirement.
Trump’s strategy focuses on offensive degradation: neutralizing Iran’s air force, sinking its navy, destroying ballistic missiles and hammering drone production. This heavy US-led work eliminates Iran’s capacity for sustained threats like mining. Once achieved, America can step back — no endless war or forward deployment.
The US imports just 2% to 3% of its oil via Hormuz. The real stakeholders are Asia: China, India, Japan, South Korea, plus Gulf producers like Saudi Arabia (largest exporter share), Iraq, the United Arab Emirates. These nations have relied on US naval protection for decades. Post-degradation, let China (with its large mine-warfare fleet), India, Japan, Europe, and Gulf states handle demining, patrols, and escorts — or face higher energy costs. The UK and France will bring proven MCM expertise; China has incentives to act.
This isn’t “dumb” — it’s realistic leadership: Strike hard to break the threat, declare success on regime offensive power, then exit. Iran’s limited mining “last gasp” shows the plan working. The LCS transition and burden-sharing ensure we’re not stuck forever.
The Strait will reopen. Iran emerges weaker. Dependent countries gain skin in the game. That’s sustainable strategy, not incompetence.
Contributing Pundit Corbett writes and edits My Desultory Blog.