Iran begins laying mines in Strait of Hormuz, sources say

U.S. forces have begun destroying Iranian naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent the IRGC from mining the strategic waterway and further destabilizing global energy markets.

The United States military has begun “eliminating with ruthless precision” Iranian mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz after intelligence reports confirmed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has started deploying a “gauntlet” of naval mines in the world’s most critical energy chokepoint. While sources indicate only a few dozen mines have been laid so far, one official warned that Iran retains 80% to 90% of its mine-laying fleet and could feasibly deploy hundreds more in what has been described as a “death valley” for maritime transit.

President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum on Truth Social, declaring that “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,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that CENTCOM has already moved to neutralize inactive mine-laying ships to prevent the waterway from being held “hostage.” This military escalation comes as nearly 20 million barrels of oil and refined fuel per day remain effectively stranded in the Gulf, causing the global crude market to endure massive volatility with prices fluctuating wildly between $80 and $90 per barrel.

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