US military ‘completely destroys’ 16 Iranian mine-laying ships in Strait of Hormuz after threat from Trump

American forces destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers near a major sea passage used to export oil.

The White House has previously warned that if Iran mines the Strait of Hormuz, it will be hit at an “unprecedented level” amid concerns the regime could target the important oil waterway.

US forces destroyed several Iranian naval ships, including 16 minelayers, near the Strait of Hormuz on March 10. US Central Command announced at Xalong with a video showing some of the strikes.

The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The minesweepers near the Strait of Hormuz were among several Iranian ships removed by US forces on Tuesday.

The military released figures and secret images of some ships after Donald Trump warned Iran against laying mines in the critical waterway.

Trump has previously said he is ‘not afraid’ of using military force to keep the crossing open as oil prices remain steady after a meteoric rise over the weekend.

In his post on social media, Trump said that the US military “completely destroyed” Iran’s inactive mine-laying ships, following reports about Iran’s action in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ship appears to have fallen into pieces after being hit by a missile launched by the United States.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth assists with a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon

He added in his social media post that there would be ‘more to follow’.

“If for any reason mines are placed and not promptly removed, the military consequences for Iran will be unprecedented,” Trump wrote.

There is concern that mines may make it impossible for tankers to pass through the Bosphorus, which may cause an increase in oil and natural gas prices.

Trump is sensitive to high energy prices as a domestic political issue, as his economic argument to voters relies on keeping gasoline costs low.

One-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait, which is only 24 miles wide at its narrowest point.

The announcement came on the heels of two Truth Social posts in which the US president said he had no reports of Iran planting explosive mines in the strategic waterway, but also warned Tehran that if so, he wanted them removed immediately.

Donald Trump said he had no reports of Iran planting explosive mines in the strategic waterway, but warned Tehran that if such a thing happened, he wanted them removed immediately.

In a follow-up post, Trump said the US military had ‘completely destroyed’ Iran’s inactive mine-laying vessels following reports of Iranian action in the Strait of Hormuz.

A missile is seen about to hit the side of an unmanned mine-laying boat

A few minutes later the boat was covered in fire smoke

The attack was monitored by the Pentagon and later posted on social media. A missile is seen inside the circle

The tanker Callisto remains anchored in Muscat, Oman, amid reduced traffic in the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that G7 leaders will hold a video conference on Wednesday to discuss the economic effects of the war in the Middle East, amid concerns about the ‘energy situation’.

Meanwhile, after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Tehran was facing ‘the busiest day of attacks’, US soldiers stationed at military bases in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain were also targeted in Iran’s latest attacks.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is said to have fired missiles at American troops at Al-Dhafra air base near Abu Dhabi and Juffair in Bahrain, according to Mehr news agency. Sirens were also heard in Dubai and Tel Aviv on Tuesday night.