Dubai: The United States sank 16 Iranian vessels accused of laying mines near the Strait of Hormuz in missile strikes, President Donald Trump and US Central Command announced Tuesday, intensifying tensions in the oil-rich region.
Trump shared the update on Truth Social: “I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine-laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow!”
US Central Command posted confirmation on X, as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on the platform: “At the direction of President Trump, @CENTCOM has been eliminating inactive mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz—wiping them out with ruthless precision.”
The strikes came hours after Trump’s earlier Truth Social warning: “If for any reason
mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before.” Hegseth had called Tuesday the “most intense” day of strikes in the conflict.
US intelligence, cited by CNN and CBS News, indicated Iran had already placed multiple mines in the strategic strait. Trump referenced missile tech used against drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific—where over 150 died—to “permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait.”
Iran’s response was swift and aggressive. Senior IRGC official Ebrahim Jabari warned that IRGC and navy forces would “set such vessels on fire” if any ships tried passing through the strait, which Iran has blockaded amid its war with the US and Israel. No further official reaction to the sinkings was immediately available from Tehran.
The disruption has hammered global energy markets. The Hormuz blockade — handling 20 per cent of world oil — has backed up tankers carrying crude and gas from Gulf producers, driving oil prices to a sharp surge. Brent crude jumped over 5 per cent in early trading, with analysts warning of prolonged volatility if tensions persist.