United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran of severe military consequences after reports emerged that Tehran had begun laying naval mines in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
The warning followed intelligence reports cited by international media indicating that Iran had deployed a small number of mines in the waterway, which carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded the immediate removal of any mines placed in the strait.
“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, we want them removed immediately,” the U.S. president said.
“If they are not removed forthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before.”
Trump added that removing the mines would be considered a positive step toward reducing tensions in the region.
The president also claimed that U.S. forces had already destroyed several suspected mine-laying vessels operating in the area.
“I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit and completely destroyed ten inactive mine-laying boats or ships, with more to follow,” he said.
According to analysts, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which controls much of Iran’s naval activity in the strait, has the capacity to deploy multiple mine-laying boats, explosive-laden vessels and shore-based missile systems capable of threatening ships passing through the narrow channel.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf to global markets. Any disruption to shipping through the route could significantly affect global oil supply and fuel prices.
Iran has previously warned that vessels attempting to pass through the strait during the conflict could be targeted.
Since the escalation of fighting involving the United States and Israel, the waterway has become increasingly dangerous for commercial shipping.
Energy markets have already reacted to the tensions, with concerns that prolonged disruption in the strait could tighten global oil supplies and push prices higher.
