U.S. Destroys 16 Iranian Minelayers Near the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on March 10.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on this.

U.S. forces also released a video on social media showing a series of strikes on the Iranian vessels.

In addition to the minelayers, precision weapons also targeted other ships and boats of the Iranian navy.

“On March 10, U.S. forces destroyed numerous vessels of Iran’s navy, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,” United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated.

U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/371unKYiJs

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026

Earlier in the evening, it was reported that Iran had likely begun mining the Strait of Hormuz.

According to available information, small vessels capable of carrying two to three mines each are being used for the mining operation.

Although the exact number of naval mines in Iran’s arsenal is not publicly known, various estimates over the years have ranged from about 2,000 to 6,000 units of Iranian-, Chinese-, and Russian-made mines.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s main maritime arteries, on which the export of petroleum products from the entire region depends.

Amid the fighting between the United States and Israel against Iran, tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a halt.

Overall, about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through this maritime route, which has already caused global energy prices to rise.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, warned Iran of much harsher strikes if it attempts to completely block the Strait of Hormuz and halt oil exports from the Persian Gulf region.