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U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, that Iran will face “military consequences on a level never seen before” if it is confirmed to have placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz and those mines are not removed immediately.
Trump stated on social media that Washington has not yet received confirmed reports of mines being installed, but cautioned that if such actions have occurred, Tehran must remove them “immediately.”
“we are using the same technology and missile capabilities employed against drug traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to install mines in the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump added. “They will be dealt with swiftly and violently.”
The statement followed a CNN report citing two sources familiar with U.S. Intelligence assessments, which indicated that Iran had begun installing mines in the critical waterway.
Shortly after, Trump posted a second message claiming that U.S. Forces had struck and destroyed ten inactive vessels used for mine deployment, with further operations anticipated.
According to the sources, while some dozens of mines have already been placed, Iran still retains approximately 90% of its small boats and mine-laying ships, giving it the capacity to potentially deploy hundreds of mines in the strait.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had previously warned that any vessel traversing the strait would be targeted, and the waterway is effectively closed due to the escalating conflict.
The escalating rhetoric and actions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies, are raising concerns about a potential wider conflict in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is responsible for approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments.
The U.S. President’s warnings come amid heightened tensions following reports that Iran has been actively deploying naval mines in the strategic waterway. This development underscores growing regional instability and the potential for miscalculation.
