U.S. forces sink 16 Iranian minelayers as studies say Tehran is mining the Strait of Hormuz
On this handout photograph obtained from the U.S. Defence Division, Nimitz-class plane service USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) sails alongside Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) and Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) within the Arabian Sea, Feb. 6, 2026.
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jesse Monford | U.S. Navy | Getty Photos
American forces on Tuesday sunk a number of Iranian ships, together with 16 minelayers, close to the Strait of Hormuz, in keeping with the U.S. Central Command, amid studies that Tehran was looking for to mine the waterway essential to international power provides.
The U.S. announcement adopted a put up by President Donald Trump that mentioned if Iran had put any mines within the Strait, “we would like them eliminated, IMMEDIATELY!”
“If for any purpose mines had been positioned, and they aren’t eliminated forthwith, the Navy penalties to Iran can be at a stage by no means seen earlier than. If, then again, they take away what could have been positioned, it will likely be a large step in the precise course!,” Trump mentioned in a Reality Social put up.
The united statespresident later claimed that 10 inactive minelaying ships had been sunk, with “extra to return.”
A CNN report Tuesday mentioned that Iran had began laying mines within the Strait of Hormuz, albeit not extensively. Sources that CNN spoke to mentioned solely a “few dozen” had been laid in latest days.
The report additionally mentioned that Iran nonetheless retains greater than 80% of its small boats and minelayers, and will feasibly lay lots of of mines within the waterway.
Situated between Oman and Iran, the strait noticed roughly 13 million barrels of crude per day passing by means of it in 2025, representing about 31% of all seaborne crude flows, in keeping with power consulting agency Kpler.
Oil costs have spiked sharply because the battle began, nearing $120 a barrel on Monday, earlier than coming down. U.S. WTI crude oil was final buying and selling at $83.8 a barrel, whereas international benchmark Brent was at $87.9 per barrel.
CBS Information, which reported that Iran “could also be preparing” to deploy naval mines, mentioned the nation was utilizing smaller crafts that may carry two to 3 mines every to put them within the strait. Whereas Iran’s mine inventory is not publicly recognized, estimates over time have ranged from roughly 2,000 to six,000 naval mines, the report mentioned.
The Robert Strauss Heart for Worldwide Safety and Legislation in Texas mentioned that mines could be “useful” to be used by Iran within the transport lanes of the Strait of Hormuz, both for direct injury or as a deterrent, channeling ships right into a predetermined lane extra favorable to Iran.
A CIA report, declassified in 2009, mentioned that “the Iranians seem to have acknowledged the restrictions of their mine warfare functionality and have adopted a technique through which a couple of mines or the specter of mining could be used to discourage transport.”
The report added that Iran may use mines to lift insurance coverage charges and dissuade ships sure for Arab Gulf ports from coming into the Persian Gulf: “such mining could be simply as efficient as a blockade.”
Final week, oil supertanker prices within the Center East climbed to their highest stage on document, with main marine warfare threat suppliers scrapping cowl for vessels working within the Persian Gulf.
ANKARA, TURKIYE – FEBRUARY 28: An infographic titled “Strait of Hormuz” created in Ankara, Turkiye on February 28, 2026. (Picture by Bedirhan Demirel/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos)
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Photos
Trump mentioned final week in a Reality Social put up that he had ordered the U.S. Growth Finance Company to offer “political threat insurance coverage and ensures for the Monetary Safety of ALL Maritime Commerce, particularly Power, touring by means of the Gulf.”
“If essential, the USA Navy will start escorting tankers by means of the Strait of Hormuz, as quickly as potential,” he added.
Nonetheless, the U.S. Navy is refusing “near-daily” requests from the transport trade to escort ships, in keeping with a Reuters report, saying that the dangers of assaults had been too excessive for now.
Whereas the Navy didn’t present a breakdown of the dangers, the U.S. had decommissioned 4 Avenger-class minesweepers that had been stationed in Bahrain in late 2025.
The alternative vessels for the Avenger-class, the Independence-class littoral fight ships, have “struggled to fulfill the necessities of operational mine countermeasures missions,” in keeping with international naval publication Naval Information.
— CNBC’s Asriel Chua contributed to this report.
