US eliminates 16 Iranian minelayers near Strait of Hormuz

March 12, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US forces have destroyed 16 Iranian vessels identified as minelayers operating near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting growing concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed in a social media post that US forces destroyed 16 Iranian naval vessels used for mine-laying operations near the Strait of Hormuz, in an operation aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

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The operation took place on March 10 and targeted Iranian boats assessed to be capable of deploying naval mines in waters close to the critical maritime chokepoint.

The command said the strikes destroyed the 16 minelayers along with multiple additional Iranian naval vessels during the event.

The US officials recently revealed that more than 60 Iranian vessels were targeted during Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, reflecting the intensity of the maritime confrontation in the region.

Operation Epic Fury: US details first 48 hours of military action against Iranian targets

Operations

Meanwhile, Iran’s military issued warnings regarding traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said vessels belonging to the United States, Israel, or their allies could be considered “legitimate targets” if they transit the waterway. The command added that Iran’s armed forces would not allow oil shipments to pass through the strait under current conditions.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is considered one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the narrow passage each day, making any potential mining activity a major concern for international shipping and energy markets.

Iran has long invested in naval mines as part of its maritime strategy. According to a 2019 report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency, open-source estimates suggested Iran possessed more than 5,000 naval mines, with more recent assessments placing the figure at around 6,000.

The arsenal includes limpet mines attached to ships’ hulls, moored contact mines that float beneath the surface, and bottom mines placed on the seabed that detonate when vessels pass overhead.

Military analysts say such weapons are relatively inexpensive but can pose a significant threat to shipping lanes, particularly in narrow waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.

Naval mines have previously been used in the Persian Gulf. In 1988, the US Navy frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine, suffering severe damage and prompting the United States to launch Operation Praying Mantis, a major naval retaliation against Iranian forces. It took place during the US presidency of Ronald Reagan and the rule of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini.