The U.S. military has destroyed several Iranian ships believed to be capable of laying mines near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command, as concerns grow over Tehran’s attempts to disrupt shipping in the key waterway.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on X that the U.S. military targeted and destroyed multiple Iranian naval vessels on Tuesday.
“On March 10, U.S. forces destroyed multiple Iranian naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including 16 minelayers,” the command said, sharing a video showing part of the attack.The assertion followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier said U.S. forces had attacked Iranian ships capable of laying mines in the area. But interestingly, according to Trump, 10 ships were destroyed, which contradicts the military’s claim of 16 ships. “I am pleased to report that in the past few hours we have hit and completely destroyed 10 idle minelayers and/or vessels, with more to come,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social!
The US president also warned Tehran not to deploy mines in key shipping corridors. “If Iran has planted any mines in the Strait of Hormuz and we have received no reports that they have done so, we want them removed immediately!” he wrote.Trump added that failure to clear such mines could lead to a strong military response. “If for any reason landmines were laid and not cleared immediately, the military consequences for Iran would be unprecedented,” he said, adding that clearing any devices would help reduce tensions. “On the other hand, if they remove things that may have been put in place, that would be a big step in the right direction.”
Earlier, a CBS News report quoted U.S. officials as saying that Iran may be preparing to deploy mines in the strait. People familiar with U.S. intelligence told CNN that a small number of mines may have been buried in the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, with about 20% of globally traded oil passing through it every day.The waterway is jointly controlled by Iran’s navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has warned that ships passing through the channel could be targeted.Since the war escalated, officials have described the strait as an increasingly risky transit zone for commercial shipping.
