March 11, 2026

US Reports Destruction of 16 Iranian Vessels Laying Mines in the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. military destroyed Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including 16 mine-laying ships. This was reported by the U.S. Central Command. The statement indicated that the attacks were carried out yesterday, March 10. No further details were provided. The previous day, CNN and CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs, citing sources, reported that Iran had begun mining the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that if this is true, the Iranian military must remove all mines 'immediately,' otherwise 'the consequences for Tehran will be unprecedented.' The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil export route, connecting major oil producers in the Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the UAE) with the Arabian Sea. Due to the start of the war between the U.S. and Israel against Iran and Iran's attempts to block shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude oil prices rose to the level of summer 2022, exceeding $100 per barrel. However, on March 10, after Trump's statement that the U.S. and Israel had 'broken' Iran and the war was almost over, fuel prices dropped to $90 per barrel. At the time of writing, it was trading at $87.5 on the ICE exchange in London.