Trump Warns Iran Over Hormuz Mining Threat as US Destroys 10 Boats

Washington — Donald Trump has warned Iran of severe military repercussions if it attempts to deploy naval mines in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, even as US forces destroyed 10 vessels suspected of being used for mine-laying operations in the region.

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States was closely monitoring any attempt by Iran to place mines in the narrow maritime passage that connects the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes.

“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,” Trump wrote.

He warned that failure to remove any such mines would lead to a major military response.

“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.

Trump added that the US military was prepared to deploy advanced surveillance and missile capabilities to prevent any attempt to disrupt shipping through the strategic waterway.

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

Soon after issuing the warning, Trump announced that US forces had already destroyed several vessels believed to be linked to mine-laying activities.

“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 operations were later confirmed by the US Central Command, which said American forces were continuing strikes as part of a broader military campaign against Iranian maritime capabilities.

CENTCOM said the operations were being conducted under “Operation Epic Fury”, with hundreds of air assets involved in the mission.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were carried out under the direct orders of the President and aimed at preventing threats to global shipping lanes.

“At the direction of President Trump, CENTCOM has been eliminating inactive mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz — wiping them out with ruthless precision,” he said, adding that the US would not allow the strategic passage to be threatened.

“We will not allow terrorists to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage,” Hegseth said, issuing a strong warning to Tehran.

CENTCOM said the operations are intended to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial vessels and project naval power in the region.

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

With inputs from IANS