U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening unprecedented military consequences if the country proceeds with mining the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which nearly 20% of global oil passes. The warning comes after reports suggest Iran has begun laying mines in the region, a move that could disrupt global energy flows and escalate tensions in the Middle East.

Threat of ‘Never Seen Before’ Military Action

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had not received reports of Iran mining the strait yet but warned that if such activity were confirmed, the mines must be removed ‘immediately.’ He added that failure to comply would result in ‘military consequences to Iran at a level never seen before.’

‘If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction,’ Trump said, emphasizing the potential for de-escalation if Iran removes the devices.

Trump also stated that the U.S. would use missiles previously employed to destroy alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters to ‘permanently eliminate’ any mine-laying boats in the Gulf Strait. ‘They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE!’ he warned.

Reports of Iranian Mine-Laying Activity

Trump’s comments followed a report by CNN, citing anonymous sources familiar with U.S. intelligence, that Iran had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with nearly 19% of the world’s oil passing through it annually, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The White House denied any involvement in escorting oil tankers through the strait earlier in the day, after the U.S. energy secretary’s social media account briefly claimed such an action had taken place before retracting the statement.

Separately, Emirates 24/7 reported that Trump had announced the U.S. has ‘completely destroyed’ ten inactive Iranian mine-laying vessels following reports of Iranian movements in the strait. The report also noted that Trump’s warnings came amid a series of defiant statements from Tehran, which has vowed to halt oil exports through the strait as part of a broader regional standoff.

The Iranian capital, Tehran, has seen new explosions reported late Tuesday night, according to international correspondents, following earlier strikes on the city as part of a joint U.S.-Israeli military offensive. U.S. military officials confirmed that the destruction of the mine-laying vessels was a preemptive measure to ensure the freedom of navigation and to deter Iran from weaponizing the maritime passage.

Escalation Amid Ongoing Conflict

The warnings from Trump come as tensions remain high in the region, with no immediate signs of de-escalation. The U.S. and its allies have been conducting strikes on Iranian targets in recent weeks, and Iran has responded with threats to disrupt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could have severe economic repercussions.

Analysts warn that the situation could spiral further if Iran proceeds with mine-laying in the strait. The potential for a military clash is high, given the strategic importance of the waterway and the history of U.S.-Iran tensions in the region.

‘The Strait of Hormuz is a linchpin of global energy security,’ said one energy analyst. ‘Any disruption there could send oil prices skyrocketing and trigger a global economic crisis.’

With the U.S. having already taken preemptive action by destroying Iranian mine-laying vessels, the next steps are unclear. Whether Iran will escalate further or seek a diplomatic resolution remains to be seen, but the stakes are high for all parties involved.