The United States has destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement issued by US Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a post on the social media platform X, CENTCOM said American forces neutralised multiple Iranian naval vessels on March 10, including 16 minelayers operating close to the strategic maritime corridor.
The announcement was accompanied by video footage showing strikes against Iranian vessels.
Intelligence warnings over possible mines
The operation follows reports that US intelligence agencies had detected early indications that Iran might attempt to deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier reporting by CBS suggested that Washington had been monitoring signs of preparations for potential mining activity in the waterway, which handles a significant portion of global oil shipments.
U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/371unKYiJs
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026
Trump warns Tehran
Before the strikes were announced, US President Donald Trump had warned Iran to immediately remove any mines that might have been placed in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a social media post, Trump said that if mines had been deployed and were not removed immediately, Iran would face military consequences “at a level never seen before”.
“If Iran has placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have no confirmation of that, we want them removed immediately,” Trump wrote. “If for any reason mines have been placed and are not removed at once, the military consequences for Iran will be at a level never seen before.”
He added that removing any mines would represent “a huge step in the right direction”.
Further strikes threatened
In a later post, Trump said US forces had already “completely destroyed” ten inactive Iranian minelaying vessels and warned that further strikes could follow.
“I am pleased to announce that in the past few hours we struck and completely destroyed ten inactive minelaying boats and more will follow,” he said.
Between the president’s posts, CENTCOM released additional footage showing US strikes on Iranian vessels.
U.S. forces are degrading the Iranian regime's ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping. For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional and global security and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/gIBN02mowh
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026
The command said the operation was aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to project naval power and disrupt international shipping.
“For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters vital to American, regional and global security and prosperity,” CENTCOM said in its statement.