US President Donald Trump said American forces destroyed 10 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, minutes after warning Tehran against deploying mines in the vital global shipping route.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. military had carried out the strikes within the past few hours. “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!” he wrote.
The claim comes amid growing concerns that Iran may attempt to mine the strategic waterway, one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Roughly 20 per cent of global oil consumption moves through the strait each day.
Trump’s claim about US destroying mine-laying vessels came soon after another social media posting by the US President in which he had said he was not in receipt of any intelligence reports about Iran putting explosive mines in the Strait of Hormuz, but warned Tehran that if it did, he wants them immediately removed.
“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.
He added that failing to remove such mines could trigger a forceful response.
“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 said.
At the same time, Trump suggested that removing any such devices would help ease tensions. “If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction,” the US President wrote.
The warning followed reports from CBS News, citing US officials, that Iran could be preparing to deploy naval mines in the strait. People familiar with US intelligence reporting also told CNN that a small number of mines may already have been placed in the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handling about 20% of globally traded oil. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which shares control of the strait with Iran’s navy, has previously warned that ships passing through the channel could be targeted.
The waterway has become increasingly dangerous since the war began, with officials describing the strait as a high-risk transit zone for commercial vessels.
– Ends
(With inputs from agencies)
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