US destroys Iranian mine-laying ships near Strait of Hormuz after Trump warning

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed a number of Iranian naval vessels, including 16 mine-laying ships, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it announced early Wednesday morning.

“U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM posted on 𝕏, including a video showing several of the strikes. 

The CENTCOM post came shortly after President Donald Trump, in a post to social media, announced that U.S. forces had “completely destroyed” 10 mine-laying vessels. 

U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/371unKYiJs

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026

It is currently unclear whether the Iranian regime indeed laid mines in the strategic waterway, which has long been a "doomsday weapon" that it threatened to use. When the strikes began, a U.S. official told the New York Times that Iran was preparing to lay mines but hadn't done so yet.

“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 posted on his Truth Social account on Tuesday night. 

The president previously warned Iran against attempts to mine the strategic waterway through which around 20 % of the world’s oil supply passes.

“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!”, Trump wrote earlier on Truth Social. “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!” 

On Monday, Trump warned Iran not to take any steps to stop the flow of oil through the waterway. He wrote, “If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far."

Trump also said U.S. forces are using the same strategy against mine-laying vessels in the Persian Gulf as they have used against drug-smuggling ships in the Caribbean and Pacific.

“Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait,” he continued. “They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE!” 

In recent months, the U.S. has carried out several strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that it says were being used to transport illegal drugs into the United States

NEWS via @CBSNews: U.S. intelligence assets have begun to see indications Iran is taking steps to deploy mines in Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Iran is using smaller crafts that can carry 2 to 3 mines each. While Iran’s mine stock isn’t publicly known, estimates over the years…

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) March 10, 2026

U.S. Pentagon chief, Gen. Dan Caine, told reporters the military is considering options for escorting ships through the waterway should President Trump instruct them to do so. 

“We're looking at a range of options there,” Caine stated. 

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly ground to a halt after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and Iran has threatened to attack vessels attempting to transit the waterway, which carries about 20 % of global oil exports.

On Tuesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it would allow the vessels of any Arab or European state that expelled U.S. and Israeli diplomats to pass through unhindered, after previously stating that only hostile vessels would be attacked.

However, mining the straits would shut down traffic completely by indiscriminately endangering all ships.

"You know who won’t be happy about Iran’s regime beginning to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz? China, which Tehran is dependent on as an economic lifeline," commented Jason Brodsky, Policy Director at the think tank United Against Nuclear Iran.

"Beijing has other interests that it has to balance despite propping up the Islamic Republic," he added.