WASHINGTON, March 11 — The United States has carried out a large-scale attack on Iranian vessels suspected of laying naval mines, as President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran over any attempt to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
WASHINGTON, March 11 — The United States has carried out a large-scale attack on Iranian vessels suspected of laying naval mines, as President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran over any attempt to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s remarks followed Iran’s pledge that Gulf oil shipments would not pass through the strategic waterway, triggering volatility in global oil prices amid fears that shipping through the strait could be severely disrupted.
“I am pleased to report that within the last few hours we have struck 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) announced on X that the number of destroyed minelaying vessels had risen to 16 near the Strait of Hormuz. The post included unclassified video footage showing several boats being hit by missiles or other projectiles and exploding.
After several US media outlets reported that Iran had either begun or was close to deploying mines in the waterway, Trump said he had not received confirmation that such actions had started.
However, he warned that if mines were placed and not immediately removed, Iran would face unprecedented military consequences.
“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, adding that removing them would be “a giant step in the right direction.”
Trump also said the United States would deploy missiles previously used to destroy alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters to “permanently eliminate” any mine-laying boat in the Gulf passage.
“They will be dealt with quickly and violently,” he added.
Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier Tuesday, the White House said the US had not escorted any oil tanker through the waterway, after a social media post by the US energy secretary that claimed otherwise was later deleted.
The Trump administration has identified dismantling Iran’s naval capabilities as a key objective of “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint US-Israeli military campaign launched against Iran on February 28.
On Monday, Trump told Republican lawmakers that Iran’s navy had been severely weakened by US strikes, claiming at least 46 ships — including several advanced vessels — had been destroyed.
“The navy is gone. It’s all lying at the bottom of the ocean,” he said. — AFP
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