U.S. Destroys 16 Iranian Mine-Laying Vessels

The United States Central Command said that the United States military destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

In an official statement, the command said the vessels were believed to be used for laying sea mines in the important shipping route. The action was taken to prevent any threat to international maritime traffic passing through the narrow waterway.

Earlier, Donald Trump said that the United States had targeted 10 inactive Iranian boats and ships that were suspected of being used to place mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Later, the U.S. Central Command updated the number and confirmed that a total of 16 vessels had been destroyed.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important sea routes for oil and gas transport. A large portion of global energy shipments passes through this waterway every day. Because of this, any attempt to place mines in the area could pose a serious risk to international shipping and energy supplies.

U.S. officials warned Iran not to attempt to mine the waterway, saying such actions could threaten global trade and regional stability. They said the United States and its partners will continue monitoring the area to ensure safe passage for commercial ships.

The incident comes at a time of rising tensions in West Asia, with several countries closely watching developments in the region. Military and diplomatic observers say the situation highlights the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the need to maintain security in the busy maritime corridor.