WASHINGTON — The United States said it took out more than a dozen mine-laying Iranian vessels on Tuesday, after Tehran vowed to block the region’s oil exports, saying it would not allow “even a single liter” to be shipped to its enemies through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post late on Tuesday on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said Washington has taken pre-emptive measures to respond to the threat Tehran had leveled. Trump said US forces destroyed 10 mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, minutes after warning that Iran would face “unprecedented consequences” if it put ordnance in the crucial waterway. “We have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships with more to follow,” Trump wrote. US Central Command later posted a video on X, which it claimed showed Iranian boats being blown up. The US Central Command in a later post on X confirmed that the number had risen to 16 mine-laying vessels. The attacks came as concerns grew following Tehran’s warning, which Washington says would further destabilize global energy markets and international shipping. Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of all crude oil, CNN reported citing two people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue. The mining is not extensive yet, with a few dozen having been laid in recent days, the sources said. But Iran still retains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers, one of the sources said, so its forces could feasibly lay hundreds of mines in the waterway. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which now effectively controls the strait along with Iran’s traditional navy, has the capability to deploy a “gauntlet” of dispersed mine-laying craft, explosive-laden boats and shore-based missile batteries, CNN said. Tuesday, which marked day 11 of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, saw some of the most intense attacks yet, according to residents of the Iranian capital. The sentiment was also echoed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who in a briefing on Tuesday promised that US attacks on Tuesday would be more intense. — AgenciesWASHINGTON — The United States said it took out more than a dozen mine-laying Iranian vessels on Tuesday, after Tehran vowed to block the region’s oil exports, saying it would not allow “even a single liter” to be shipped to its enemies through the Strait of Hormuz. In a post late on Tuesday on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said Washington has taken pre-emptive measures to respond to the threat Tehran had leveled. Trump said US forces destroyed 10 mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, minutes after warning that Iran would face “unprecedented consequences” if it put ordnance in the crucial waterway. “We have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships with more to follow,” Trump wrote. US Central Command later posted a video on X, which it claimed showed Iranian boats being blown up. The US Central Command in a later post on X confirmed that the number had risen to 16 mine-laying vessels. The attacks came as concerns grew following Tehran’s warning, which Washington says would further destabilize global energy markets and international shipping. Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of all crude oil, CNN reported citing two people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue. The mining is not extensive yet, with a few dozen having been laid in recent days, the sources said. But Iran still retains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers, one of the sources said, so its forces could feasibly lay hundreds of mines in the waterway. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which now effectively controls the strait along with Iran’s traditional navy, has the capability to deploy a “gauntlet” of dispersed mine-laying craft, explosive-laden boats and shore-based missile batteries, CNN said. Tuesday, which marked day 11 of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, saw some of the most intense attacks yet, according to residents of the Iranian capital. The sentiment was also echoed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who in a briefing on Tuesday promised that US attacks on Tuesday would be more intense. — Agencies
