Iran has begun mining the Strait of Hormuz — CNN
The US military announced that it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels.
Iran has begun mining the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical energy chokepoint through which one-fifth of all global crude oil passes. CNN reported this based on sources familiar with U.S. intelligence information.
Sources indicated that the mining operations are not yet extensive, with several dozen mines laid in recent days. However, Iran retains 80–90 percent of its small boats intended for minelaying, giving it the capability to place hundreds of mines in the strait.
Currently, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Navy control the strait. They have the capability to create a complex attack system using minelaying small boats, explosive-laden boats, and coastal missile systems.
In response to this information, Trump demanded that any mine placed in the strait be removed.
The U.S. President said that if mines are laid and not removed, Iran will face consequences "unlike any they have ever seen before." Following this, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hagert stated that stationary minelaying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are being targeted.
"We will not allow terrorists to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage," Hagert added.
Simultaneously, U.S. Central Command announced that it had destroyed several Iranian military vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including 16 minelaying boats.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously warned that any vessel passing through the strait would be attacked. Since the war began, the strait has effectively been closed to ship traffic.
"The Strait of Hormuz will remain secure. There are many of our Navy's ships there. We have the best equipment in the world for detecting mines," Trump said at a press conference on March 9.
According to CNN, nearly 15 million barrels of crude oil produced daily in the Persian Gulf, plus another 4.5 million barrels of fuel, are currently stranded. For oil-producing countries like Iraq and Kuwait, there is no alternative route to export their product other than the Strait of Hormuz.
The G7 nations with large economies hinted they could release more oil from reserves to cover the shortfall.
Uncertainty over the ability to transport oil by sea is causing sharp fluctuations in the crude oil market. The price per barrel of oil has been swinging between highs above $90 and lows below $80 due to consecutive spikes.
The International Energy Agency, against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict, proposed releasing the largest-ever volume of oil from reserves to stabilize the market.
