US Military Destroys Iranian Mine-Laying Fleet in Strait of Hormuz
Dramatic new footage released by the United States Central Command reveals the moment multiple Iranian mine-laying ships were obliterated by American fighter jets in the Strait of Hormuz. The overnight strikes targeted vessels deployed by Iran as part of its escalating campaign to disrupt global oil shipments through this critical maritime corridor.
Night Vision Footage Captures Devastating Strikes
One particularly striking clip, filmed using night vision technology, shows an Iranian ship centered in the crosshairs of a US aircraft before erupting into a massive fireball upon impact. Another video appears to depict a vessel near port being hit, resulting in a towering inferno that lit up the night sky. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that a total of sixteen minelaying vessels were destroyed in the coordinated operation.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform during the early hours of Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced, "I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow!" A subsequent CENTCOM update revised the number of destroyed vessels to sixteen.
Iran's Threat to Global Oil Supplies
The military action comes in direct response to Iran's explicit vow to blockade the region's oil exports. The Islamic Republic had declared it would not permit "even a single litre" of oil to reach its adversaries, threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas transits.
President Trump had earlier issued a stark ultimatum, demanding Iran "immediately" remove all mines from the water and warning of "consequences to Iran" at an unprecedented level if they refused. "If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!" he added.
Regional Attacks and Maritime Incidents Intensify
The conflict spilled beyond the strait with reports of additional attacks. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) confirmed a projectile struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, setting the vessel ablaze and forcing the crew to evacuate. Another incident was reported targeting a ship off Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.
Simultaneously, two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport in the early morning, wounding four individuals. Authorities from the Dubai Media Office stated the attack resulted in "minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national." Despite the incident, flight operations at the airport continued without major disruption.
Iran has not yet claimed responsibility for the specific attacks on the cargo ship or the drone strikes, though its broader strategy of targeting vessels in and around the strait to enforce its oil export blockade is well-documented. The destruction of its mine-laying fleet represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle for control over this globally vital shipping lane.
