President Trump has confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the US military has destroyed 10 inactive mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, with more targets to follow.

This comes after Iran’s threats to disrupt oil shipments through the vital waterway. Trump warned Iran that if they place mines in the Strait, they’ll face “military consequences at a level never seen before”.

CENTCOM posted on X earlier: “U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship passing through the strait will be fired on, while Trump’s administration has vowed to protect shipping in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global oil trade, with about 20% of the world’s oil supply flowing through it. The US has been conducting strikes against Iranian mine-laying vessels to keep the waterway open.