Subject: Re: Vance Failed. No Deal.
No, it doesn't. It means they sail through the U.S. navy, let the tankers sail through the strait (the portions where there aren't mines), and then wait for the tankers to get seaward of the mines again and then escort them out.

LOL. Then who clears the mines for the tankers? Or are there no mines there now?

They can send Chinese-flagged tankers. They have their own tankers, after all. Send those tankers and see if the US Navy engages with them.

And that's the exact same thing. A literal distinction without a difference.
They'll never do business with the Gulf states the same way again.

So, no - it doesn't matter if the Navy does any mine-clearing. The Navy disagrees with you.