Washington DC, 11 March (H.S.):

The United States military has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying the ongoing conflict as Tehran attempts to choke off this vital artery for global oil shipments, according to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The strikes, conducted on March 10, targeted active threats in the waterway, which has been effectively closed due to the US-Israel campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump, addressing the development on Truth Social, demanded immediate removal of any Iranian mines, warning of severe military consequences if Tehran fails to comply.

If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait... we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! Trump posted, emphasizing US technological superiority akin to anti-drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Pacific.CENTCOM confirmed the action via an official post, sharing footage of the eliminations:

U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. This follows Trump's earlier claim of neutralizing 10 inactive vessels, underscoring a pattern of preemptive naval interdictions.

The Strait of Hormuz, hugging Iran's southern coast, normally facilitates one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. Its blockade has triggered global energy shocks, with India prioritizing natural gas for key sectors and aiding Bangladesh's diesel shortages, per reports from Reuters and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Pentagon officials revealed contingency plans for escorting commercial shipping. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the military is looking at a range of options for safe passage, though the US Navy has rejected most industry requests so far.

A brief, deleted X post from Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed a successful tanker escort, later retracted as incorrectly captioned. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified no such operations have occurred.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards dismissed the claims, with spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini vowing via state media: Any movement of the U.S. fleet and its allies will be stopped by our missiles and drones. This rhetoric echoes broader escalations, including US strikes on Iranian mine storage and reports of Chinese satellite intelligence exposing US assets pre-war.

The operation highlights US naval dominance, deploying advanced detection—likely from drone swarms and radar akin to those used against narco-submarines—to neutralize threats without crewed engagements. Analysts from the Council on Foreign Relations note the Strait's mining risks mirror 1980s tanker wars, potentially spiking oil to $150 per barrel if prolonged (EIA projections).

No US casualties were reported, but the strikes risk drawing in regional proxies. As Trump ramps up pressure, global markets brace for sustained disruptions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar