Kamal Ghorui
The United States military has destroyed several Iranian vessels believed to be capable of laying naval mines near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to the US central command, as concerns grow around Tehran’s attempt to disrupt shipping in the critical waterway.In a post on X, the United States central command (CENTCOM) said US forces targeted and destroyed multiple Iranian naval vessels on Tuesday. “US forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,” the command said, sharing a video showing some of the strikes.The claim followed comments by US president Donald Trump, who earlier said American forces had struck Iranian vessels capable of laying mines in the area. But interestingly, according to Trump 10 vessels were destroyed, contradictory to the military’s claim of 16. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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!”
The US president also warned Tehran against deploying naval mines in the key shipping corridor. “If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!” he wrote.Trump added that failing to remove such mines could lead to a strong military response. “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,” he said, while adding that removing any devices would help ease tensions. “If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction.”
The warning comes after reports by CBS News citing US officials suggested Iran could be preparing to deploy naval mines in the strait. People familiar with US intelligence told CNN that a small number of mines may already have been placed in the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, with roughly 20 per cent of globally traded oil passing through it each day.Control of the waterway is shared by Iran’s navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has warned that ships transiting the channel could be targeted.Since the war escalated, officials have described the strait as an increasingly high-risk transit zone for commercial shipping.
