The US military said it destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran to remove any naval mines from the strategic waterway immediately.
“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 on his Truth Social platform.
He also warned that if any mines were discovered and not removed, Iran would face military consequences “at a level never seen before.”
“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. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE!”
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping through the key maritime corridor, sending ripples across global oil markets. Oil prices have risen in several countries, prompting concern among policymakers.
A senior US general said on Tuesday that the military is exploring options to potentially escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’re looking at a range of options there,” General Dan Caine told reporters. The US Navy, however, has so far declined near-daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the strait.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed on Tuesday that the United States has not escorted any vessels or tankers through the Strait of Hormuz amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf.
In a now-deleted post, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright had claimed that the US Navy had successfully escorted an oil tanker through the water way.
"I was made aware of this post. I haven't had a chance to talk to the Energy Secretary about it directly. I can confirm that the US Navy has not escorted a tanker or vessel at this time, though of course that's an option the President has said he will absolutely utilise if and when necessary at the appropriate time," Leavitt said.
