In a decisive military action, American forces have successfully neutralized 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near a crucial maritime route crucial for oil transport. This development comes amidst heightened tensions, as the White House had previously cautioned that any Iranian attempts to mine the Strait of Hormuz would provoke an unprecedented response.
The US Central Command confirmed the operation in a statement released on X, noting, “US forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz, on March 10.” The announcement was complemented by a video illustrating some of the military strikes.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint, serves as the only maritime gateway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, underscoring its strategic importance in global oil shipments.
This latest military engagement underscores the United States’ commitment to maintaining the security of this key waterway. The operation’s disclosure, including the number of vessels destroyed and video evidence, follows a stark warning from former President Donald Trump, who had previously cautioned Iran about the severe consequences of attempting to disrupt this essential channel.
The minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz were among multiple Iranian vessels taken out by US forces on Tuesday.
The military published the figure and unclassified footage of some of the vessels after Donald Trump warned Iran against laying mines in the critical waterway.
Trump has previously said he is ‘not afraid’ to use military force to keep the passage open, as oil prices steady following a rapid surge over the weekend.
In a post to social media, Trump said the US military ‘completely destroyed’ the inactive Iranian mine-laying vessels after reports of Iranian action in the Strait of Hormuz.
Video released by the US Central Command shows what they say is an Iranian naval vessel as it is struck by a projectile ‘near the Strait of Hormuz’ as part of ‘Operation Epic Fury’ on March 10
The vessel is seen being blasted to bits after being struck by a missile fired by the US
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth help a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon
In his social media post he added that there would be ‘more to follow.’
“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,” Trump wrote.
The concern is that mines could make it impossible for tankers to pass through the strait, which could cause oil and natural gas prices to rise.
Trump has been sensitive to higher energy prices as a domestic political issue, as his economic argument to voters is based on keeping gasoline costs low.
A fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, which is only about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point.
The announcement came soon after two Truth Social postings by the US president in which he said he has no reports of Iran putting explosive mines in the strategic waterway, but also warned Tehran that if it did, he wants them immediately removed.
Donald Trump said he has no reports of Iran putting explosive mines in the strategic waterway, but also warned Tehran that if it did, he wants them immediately removed
In a follow-up post, Trump said the US military ‘completely destroyed’ the inactive Iranian mine-laying vessels after reports of Iranian action in the Strait of Hormuz
A missile can be seen about to slam into the side of an unmanned mine-laying boat
Moments later, the boat in shrouded in a blast of fire smoke
The attack was monitored by the Pentagon and released later on social media. A missile is seen circled
The Callisto tanker sits anchored as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman
Amid concerns over the ‘energy situation’, French president Emmanuel Macron announced, the G7 leaders will hold a video conference on Wednesday to discuss the economic impacts of the war in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, US soldiers stationed at military bases in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain have been targeted in the latest attacks launched by Iran after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran faces the ‘most intense day of strikes’.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are said to have launched missiles towards American troops based at at Al-Dhafra airbase, near Abu Dhabi, and Juffair in Bahrain, according to the Mehr news agency. Sirens were also heard in Dubai and Tel Aviv on Tuesday night.
