Naval War at Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz became an active naval battleground on Day 12. US forces struck 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels in a preemptive operation — the largest single US naval action against IRGC surface forces of the war. The strike was designed to neutralize Iran's ability to execute a Hormuz mining campaign before it could be deployed. CENTCOM confirmed the destruction of the last Soleimani-class warship, eliminating an entire class of Iran's most capable surface combatants. Hours after the US mine-layer strikes, a Thai commercial vessel transiting the strait was struck by unknown projectiles — an explosion in the stern, fire in the engine compartment. Twenty crew were rescued by the Omani navy; three remain missing. The attack is the first confirmed kinetic strike on a civilian vessel in Hormuz since the war began. CENTCOM subsequently issued formal warnings to Iranian port civilians to evacuate, citing loss of civilian port protected status — the standard precursor to port strikes.

Key facts

• •US destroys 16 IRGC mine-laying vessels in preemptive Hormuz strike
• •Entire Soleimani-class warship class eliminated — 4 ships total
• •Thai commercial vessel struck in Hormuz — 20 rescued, 3 crew missing
• •CENTCOM warns Iranian port civilians to evacuate — port strikes imminent
• •Oil falls to $87.80 on mine-layer destruction news