US destroys 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near Strait of Hormuz

The United States military destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz in what US officials described as a preemptive strike to prevent Iran from executing a mining operation against the world's most critical oil chokepoint. The strike represents the largest single US naval operation against IRGC surface vessels since the war began and directly responds to US intelligence indicating Iran was preparing to deploy mines in the strait. Trump had publicly warned of 'unprecedented consequences' if Iran mined Hormuz. The destruction of 16 dedicated mine-laying vessels — a significant fraction of Iran's mine warfare capability — substantially degrades Iran's ability to execute the Hormuz mining threat in the near term. Oil prices fell to $87.80 following the news, as markets priced in reduced probability of a full Hormuz closure. The strike also demonstrates US willingness to take preemptive offensive action based on intelligence assessments — a significant escalatory posture. With the IRGC Navy already declared 'combat ineffective' by the White House, the destruction of dedicated mine-laying vessels is part of a systematic US effort to neutralize Iran's ability to weaponize the Strait of Hormuz.