US forces destroy 16 Iranian minelayers near Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM says

2 minutes of readingMarch 11, 2026 10:34 am IST

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday (March 11) that it eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers, near the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM posted a video under its official name

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

— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026

In a separate release, US Central Command said US forces are “degrading the Iranian regime’s ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping.”

He condemned Tehran for threatening “freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional and global security and prosperity.”

US forces are degrading the Iranian regime’s ability to project power at sea and harass international shipping. For years, Iranian forces have threatened freedom of navigation in waters essential to American, regional and global security and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/gIBN02mowh

— US Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026

This comes as US President Donald Trump said US forces attacked and destroyed 10 inactive minelayer ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition, he threatened to intensify attacks against Iran and warned Tehran not to place mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, the US president said: “If Iran has placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have no reports that they have, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines have been placed and are not removed immediately, the military consequences for Iran will be at a level never seen before.”

“If, on the other hand, they eliminate what could have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction! Additionally, we are using the same technology and missile capabilities deployed against drug traffickers to permanently eliminate any ship or ship that attempts to mine the Strait of Hormuz. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE,” he added.

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