Trump warns Iran of military action ‘at a level never seen before’ if it mines Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran against placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz while announcing that the United States had already destroyed several boats believed to be capable of laying mines.
The warning came after reports suggested Iran might be preparing to deploy mines in the key shipping lane. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil travels.
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! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) March 10, 2026
Trump warns Iran over mines in the Strait of Hormuz
Trump delivered a stern warning to the Iranian regime on Tuesday, March 10, regarding any attempt to place mines in the Strait. The president posted the message on Truth Social after reports emerged that there were indicators Iran had begun taking steps to deploy mines in the shipping lane.
Trump stated, “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 also warned that if mines had been placed and were not removed quickly, “the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before.”
The president further said that removing any mines would be “a giant step in the right direction.”
He added that the US was using the same technology and missile capabilities previously deployed against traffickers to eliminate any vessel attempting to mine the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that such boats or ships “will be dealt with quickly and violently,” ending the statement with “BEWARE!”
Previously, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Guards commander-in-chief, said in remarks carried by state media "The strait (of Hormuz) is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze."
US destroys mine-laying boats as intelligence monitors Iran
Shortly after his warning, Trump posted another message announcing that US forces had destroyed “10 inactive mine laying boats” within a matter of hours. He wrote, “I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow!”
The developments came after reporting from CBS News indicated that US intelligence had begun observing signs that Iran might be preparing to deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.
According to CBS News Senior White House Correspondent Jennifer Jacobs, "Iran was using smaller crafts capable of carrying two to three mines each."
Estimates of Iran’s mine stockpile have varied over the years, with figures ranging from roughly 2,000 to 6,000 naval mines. These mines include Iranian-made versions as well as Chinese and Russian variants, according to reporting cited by CBS News National Security Coordinating Producer Jim LaPorta.
During a White House press briefing the same day, press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that if the Iranian regime targeted the Strait of Hormuz, it would face military force “20 times” stronger than what it had already experienced.
