U.S. Central Command announced Tuesday that American forces eliminated 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. The military released video footage showing the destruction of the ships, which included naval minelayers.

The strikes occurred amid intelligence reports that Iran planned to deploy mines in the strait, a narrow waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil passes daily. A senior U.S. official said the action preempted Iran's operational plans to lay explosives that could block commercial shipping. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. had destroyed 10 such vessels initially, warning Iran to remove any mines immediately or face further consequences. "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.

The incident is part of a broader conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian targets, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf and Israeli territory, then warned ships against transiting the strait. Iranian forces have damaged or sunk multiple tankers since early March, killing at least eight seafarers and causing oil spills.

Shipping through the strait has ground to a near halt, with tanker traffic dropping over 70% initially and now almost zero, as major firms like Maersk suspended operations. Oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel, prompting production cuts in Kuwait, the UAE and Iraq, and force majeure declarations from Qatar on gas exports. Over 150 vessels remain anchored outside the area, and war-risk insurance has spiked.

U.S. forces have now sunk more than 20 Iranian ships overall in the conflict, targeting naval assets to maintain open sea lanes. The Navy has declined industry requests for escorts through the strait, citing stretched resources, despite Trump's threats and exploration of options. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed no escorts have occurred. Iran has allowed limited passage for Chinese and some other vessels but continues threats against U.S. allies.

Internationally, France launched a defensive escort mission, with Britain, Germany and Italy offering support, while OPEC+ boosted output slightly. About 140 U.S. troops have been injured since the war started, with no specific casualties reported from Tuesday's strikes.