Trump Warns Iran Over Mining Strait of Hormuz as US Destroys Suspected Mine-Laying Boats

Washington, Mar 2026 : US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, cautioning that any attempt to mine the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz would trigger severe military consequences from the United States.

The warning came after American forces reportedly struck and destroyed 10 suspected mine-laying boats in the narrow maritime corridor, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy routes. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a key passage connecting the Persian Gulf to global shipping lanes and carries a significant portion of the world’s seaborne oil trade.

Trump issued the warning through a post on his social media platform Truth Social, saying the United States was closely monitoring any possible attempts by Iran to deploy naval mines in the strategic waterway.

“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,” the President wrote.

Trump cautioned that if mines had been placed in the strait and were not removed promptly, Iran would face an unprecedented military response from the United States.

“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 in the post.

The US President also indicated that Washington was prepared to deploy advanced surveillance technology and missile systems to prevent any attempt to disrupt shipping through the strategic corridor.

According to Trump, the same technologies used in operations against international drug trafficking networks could be used to detect and destroy vessels attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

“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 said.

Trump further warned that any vessel attempting to carry out such activity would be neutralised quickly.

“They will be dealt with quickly and violently. Beware,” he added.

Shortly after issuing the warning, Trump announced that US forces had already destroyed several vessels believed to be involved in mine-laying operations in the area.

“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 military actions were later confirmed by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which said American forces were continuing strikes against Iranian maritime assets as part of the broader campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.

CENTCOM said hundreds of aircraft and other military assets were currently involved in the operation, delivering what it described as “devastating combat power” against Iranian military targets.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were conducted under direct instructions from the President and were intended to eliminate potential threats to international shipping routes.

“At the direction of President Trump, CENTCOM has been eliminating inactive mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz with precision,” Hegseth said.

He added that the United States would not allow any attempt to disrupt maritime traffic in the region.

“We will not allow terrorists to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage,” he said.

Hegseth also delivered a warning to the Iranian leadership, stating that Washington would respond decisively to any attempt to threaten the freedom of navigation in the area.

“To the weakened Iranian regime: you have officially been put on notice,” he said.

According to CENTCOM, the ongoing operations are designed to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and project naval power in the region.

The command said Iranian forces have repeatedly threatened freedom of navigation in waters considered vital to global trade and energy security.

“For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional, and global security and prosperity,” CENTCOM said in its statement.

With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key global energy corridor, developments in the region are being closely monitored by major energy-importing countries and international shipping companies concerned about potential disruptions to oil supplies.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)