By Ayomide Otitoju
The United States has launched a major offensive against Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump warned Tehran of unprecedented military repercussions if it disrupts the strategic waterway.
Trump’s remarks on Tuesday followed Iran’s vow to prevent Gulf oil shipments from passing through the strait, a move that has contributed to continued volatility in global oil prices.
“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!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Later, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that 16 minelayers had been destroyed, posting unclassified video footage showing boats struck by missiles and other projectiles.
After reports suggested that Iran had begun or was about to deploy mines in the strait, Trump said no such activity had been confirmed. However, he issued a stark 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. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!”
Trump added that the United States would deploy the same missile systems previously used against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin America to “permanently eliminate” any mine-laying boats in the Gulf. “They will be dealt with quickly and violently,” he said.
Nearly a fifth of global oil production passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making the security of the waterway a critical concern for energy markets.
Earlier Tuesday, the White House clarified that no US oil tankers had been escorted through the strait, following a brief social media post from the US Department of Energy that was later deleted.
Trump’s administration has listed neutralising Iran’s navy as a primary objective of “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint US-Israel military campaign launched against Iran on February 28.
On Monday, Trump told Republican lawmakers that US attacks had decimated Iran’s navy, destroying at least 46 ships, including several “top-of-the-line” vessels. “The navy is gone. It’s all lying at the bottom of the ocean,” he said.
