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3. Trump Warns Iran Against Mining the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Tuesday against mining the Strait of Hormuz, threatening severe military consequences if Tehran attempts to block the strategic waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

“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 wrote on Truth Social.

The warning comes amid mounting intelligence concerns that Iran may be preparing to deploy naval mines in the narrow shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, raising fears of a major disruption to global energy flows as the war between Iran and the U.S.–Israeli alliance intensifies.

U.S. Strikes Iranian Mine-Laying Vessels

Trump also announced that U.S. forces had already targeted Iranian vessels believed to be capable of laying naval mines.

“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,” the president wrote on Truth Social.

The announcement followed reports from U.S. officials cited by CBS News indicating that Iran had signaled it could begin deploying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to disrupt shipping through the crucial energy corridor.

U.S. officials told the network that Iranian forces could use small vessels capable of carrying two to three mines each to place explosive devices in the waterway.

Although the size of Iran’s mine stockpile is not publicly known, past estimates have suggested Tehran could possess between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines, many of them produced domestically or acquired from China and Russia.

Intelligence Signals Possible Mine Deployment

Earlier intelligence reporting cited by CNN indicated that Iranian forces may have already begun placing a limited number of naval mines in the strait in recent days.

The initial deployment reportedly involved several dozen mines, though analysts say Iran retains the capacity to escalate rapidly.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which operates alongside the country’s conventional navy, maintains a large fleet of small vessels capable of quickly deploying mines across the narrow channel.

One source familiar with the intelligence assessments said Iran still retains 80-90 percent of its mine-laying capabilities, suggesting the current activity could represent only an early stage of a broader strategy.

Military analysts note that even a relatively small number of mines could effectively halt commercial shipping, as insurers and shipping companies would likely suspend transit through the strait due to safety risks.

Conflicting Signals from Washington

Confusion also emerged within the U.S. government regarding naval operations in the strait.

Earlier Tuesday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright posted a video on social media suggesting the U.S. Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. The post was later deleted.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt subsequently clarified that no U.S. naval escort had taken place, despite discussions within the administration about protecting commercial shipping.

“I can confirm that the U.S. Navy has not escorted a tanker or a vessel at this time,” Leavitt told reporters during a briefing, adding that the option remains available should the president decide to implement it.

Trump has previously stressed that Washington is taking steps to protect the flow of energy shipments through the Gulf.

Iran Claims Control of the Waterway

Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to the U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched on February 28, which included strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Revolutionary Guards claim they have effectively shut the strait to commercial traffic and warned that vessels attempting to pass through the area could be targeted.

In statements carried by Iranian media, the IRGC has said no U.S. naval vessel has “dared” approach the strait since the escalation began.

Satellite imagery and maritime tracking data show tanker traffic through the corridor has sharply declined, with dozens of vessels remaining anchored near Oman and the United Arab Emirates awaiting security assurances before entering the waterway.

A Critical Global Energy Lifeline

The Strait of Hormuz is widely considered the most important maritime chokepoint in the global energy system.

Each day, roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow passage between Iran and Oman.

Even limited disruption to the route has historically triggered sharp spikes in global energy prices and heightened volatility in financial markets.

Energy analysts warn that a sustained closure of the strait, whether due to actual attacks or the perception of risk, could significantly disrupt global supply chains and push oil prices sharply higher.

Risk of Wider Escalation

For now, U.S. officials say naval forces in the region are closely monitoring the situation while preparing contingency plans to keep the shipping corridor open if necessary.

At the center of the confrontation remain two long-standing strategic concerns for Washington and its allies: Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its ability to threaten global energy flows through critical maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

As tensions mount in the Gulf, the narrow waterway is increasingly emerging as one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the widening Middle East conflict.