Trump Threatens ‘Unprecedented’ Response if Iran Mines Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Tuesday of severe military consequences if Tehran attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz by laying naval mines, saying the United States would respond at a level “never seen before.”

Trump’s warning came after intelligence reports suggested Iranian forces may be preparing to deploy dozens of naval mines in the vital shipping lane. The president said there were “no confirmed reports” that mines had already been placed, but demanded that any such devices be removed immediately.

“If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before,” Trump said in a statement from Washington.

He added that U.S. forces would use advanced technology to “permanently eliminate” any vessel attempting to mine the waterway.

The threat comes as U.S. military operations against Iranian targets continue under Operation Epic Fury, which has entered its 11th day. According to the United States Central Command, American forces have destroyed 10 inactive Iranian mine-laying boats and struck more than 5,000 targets inside Iran since the conflict began on Feb. 28.

Regional impact and Gulf tensions

The possibility of mines in the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes — has raised alarm across the Persian Gulf.

Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have heightened air defense alerts as Iran continues retaliatory strikes under what Tehran calls Operation True Promise 4, launching waves of missiles and drones across the region.

The growing tensions have also rattled global energy markets. U.S. officials said Washington is considering the deployment of Navy-escorted commercial tankers to ensure safe passage through the strait and maintain the flow of oil shipments.

GAROWE ONLINE