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The U.S. military has neutralized 16 Iranian vessels responsible for laying mines near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Central Command. This action follows President Donald Trump’s urgent call for Iran to remove any mines they may have placed in the strait, a vital channel for global oil shipments. Trump previously claimed that 10 dormant Iranian mine-layer ships had been completely destroyed.
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In response to media reports suggesting Iran had begun deploying mines in the strategic waterway, Trump posted on Truth Social, “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!” He warned that failure to comply would result in military consequences, without providing specifics. Trump also highlighted that the U.S. employs advanced technology used against drug traffickers to eliminate vessels attempting to mine the strait.
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Recent months have seen a series of U.S. strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which the Pentagon asserts were involved in drug trafficking, resulting in numerous casualties. Earlier on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced strikes against Iranian vessels and storage sites linked to mine-laying activities.
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These developments have effectively halted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, where approximately 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas currently passes, due to ongoing tensions with Iran. The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has escalated tensions, leading to disruptions in regional shipping routes.
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Additionally, the top U.S. military commander mentioned exploring options to potentially escort commercial ships through the strait if ordered, although the Navy has thus far declined frequent requests from shipping companies for military escorts. White House officials clarified that no oil tankers have yet been escorted through the strait, and a video claiming such an escort was successful was later deleted after being determined to be improperly captioned.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards dismissed any claims of oil vessel escorts, asserting that Iran’s missiles and drones would stop any movement by U.S. forces and their allies in the region. Comments from Iranian officials underscore the ongoing hostility and readiness to respond militarily to U.S. actions.
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