STRAIT OF HORMUZ / WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces said on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, that they destroyed 16 Iranian mine laying vessels in a precision strike near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, as tensions with Iran continue to escalate amid the broader Middle East conflict.
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation took place on March 10, when American forces targeted multiple Iranian naval assets believed to be capable of laying sea mines in the narrow waterway that handles roughly one fifth of the world’s oil shipments.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), CENTCOM said: “U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels on March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,” accompanying the announcement with video footage of munitions striking the vessels.
President Donald Trump had earlier indicated in a separate post that the U.S. had struck and “completely destroyed” 10 inactive mine laying boats, warning that Tehran would face severe consequences if any naval mines were placed in the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, linking Gulf oil producers to global markets. It carries about 20 % of global oil shipments daily, making its security essential for energy markets and international trade. Disruption or closure of the strait would likely cause sharp spikes in oil prices and broader economic ripple effects.
Iran has repeatedly warned it could block maritime traffic through the strait in response to continuing U.S. and Israeli military pressure. Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard made statements denying U.S. claims of naval escort missions in the waterway while threatening retaliation against any foreign ships moving through the region.
U.S. officials said the strikes were intended to prevent Iran from laying mines — a tactic that could halt shipping and escalate the conflict further. Pentagon leaders underscored that the operation was a defensive measure to protect freedom of navigation in international waters.
While it remains unclear whether Iran had actually deployed mines in the strait, reports suggest that intelligence assessments detected preparations or potential mine laying operations, prompting the U.S. to act preemptively.
The strike comes amid a broader U.S.–Israel campaign against Iranian military and naval capabilities following the outbreak of intense hostilities in late February. Iranian forces have responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and U.S. bases in the region, deepening the crisis.
Iranian officials condemned the destruction of their vessels as provocative acts that threaten regional stability and vowed further resistance. Meanwhile, global markets have reacted nervously to developments in the strait, underscoring the wider economic stakes of the ongoing conflict.
As both sides increase military pressure, analysts warn the risk of further escalation remains high. The security of global supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz continues to be a flashpoint, with the U.S. signaling it will take robust action to keep them open as the war evolves.