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US forces destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, US Central Command said, in what officials described as a move to prevent Tehran, Iran, from disrupting one of the world’s most dangerous maritime zones.
The strikes come as oil spills on the road remain at a standstill, threatening the corridor that carries an estimated 20 million barrels a day – about one-fifth of global consumption – and Gulf exporters such as Iraq and Kuwait who rely on the narrow road for their source of income.
Before removing the mine ships, Trump called on Iran to remove them “IMMEDIATELY!” warning that if not, “Military consequences in Iran will be at an unprecedented level.”
US officials have long warned that Iran maintains a significant inventory of naval mines and has also deployed tactics designed to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf. The destruction of the ships appears to be intended to stop any possible shipping before mines are laid in the shipping lanes.
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A screenshot of the maritime traffic terminal showing ships in the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026. (Kpler/Marine Traffic)
The Strait of Hormuz, which borders Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, is an important hub for global energy markets. Even the threat of mining operations can also affect traffic insurance and spike transportation costs.
It is not clear if any mines have been placed in the water before the US action. Citing intelligence sources, CNN reported that Iran has placed several mines in the area in recent days and has the potential to place hundreds more.
As of Friday, seven ships, including four tankers and three bulk carriers, have passed through this road, according to data from trade intelligence platform Kpler.
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The US Navy has always weighed escorting commercial ships through the strait.
“We are looking at a variety of options there and we will see how the problems will be solved as they come to us,” the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Dan Caine told Fox News on Tuesday.
A Navy ship is seen sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway through which most of the world’s oil and gas flows, on March 1, 2026. (Sahar AL ATTAR / AFP via Getty Images)
The world is watching to see if the Navy will step in to try to free shipping. Shortly after the incorrect and deleted post from the Energy Sec. Chris Wright says the Navy escorted the ship, oil prices are down about 12%.
European allies are also stepping in: France sent two frigates to join a European Union-led escort mission for ships crossing the strait, though the timing of their arrival is unclear.
While U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. and Israel have “total air dominance” over Iran’s skies, that doesn’t mean the threat of missiles and drones has been completely eliminated.
The Navy will not escort the tankers until Iran’s missiles and drones are eliminated, retired General Jack Keane told FOX Business.
“It doesn’t make sense in terms of risk if we’re going to completely eliminate them in a few weeks,” he said.
Seeing the pressure on prices around the world, Trump announced on Monday that the US will lift sanctions related to oil.
The United States currently maintains oil sanctions against Iran, Venezuela, Russia, Syria and North Korea. (Press Office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“We are also canceling some sanctions that affect oil in order to reduce prices,” he said in a press conference. “So in other countries, we will remove those sanctions until this is right. Then, who knows, maybe we won’t have to impose them.”
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The United States currently maintains oil sanctions against Iran, Venezuela, Russia, Syria and North Korea.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt declined to say what that release would look like. A 30-day decision has already been issued recently for Russian oil stranded at sea to reach India.
A sea mine worth a few thousand dollars can disable or even sink a $2 billion US destroyer.
The danger is not theoretical: In 1988, the USS Samuel B. Roberts nearly sank after hitting an Iranian mine in the Persian Gulf.
Minelaying operations are often conducted covertly at night using small vessels such as fishing vessels or fast attack ships, allowing mines to be deployed with little warning and potentially fatal consequences.
