The Iran war, triggered by joint United States-Israel strikes, continues to intensify amid mounting concerns that Tehran may be attempting to mine the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a severe disruption to global oil supplies and maritime traffic.
U.S. officials have said intelligence reports indicate that Iranian forces have deployed naval units capable of laying mines in the narrow shipping lane, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes. American military commanders confirmed on Tuesday that U.S. forces had already targeted and destroyed several Iranian vessels suspected of mine-laying activity near the strait.
According to U.S. Central Command, 16 Iranian mine-laying boats were destroyed in operations around the Strait of Hormuz, as the Pentagon attempted to prevent Tehran from closing the waterway. Officials said intelligence assessments indicated Iran could deploy “dozens or even hundreds” of naval mines if the conflict continues to escalate.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Tehran late Tuesday, writing on social media that “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.” The White House added the U.S. Navy is considering escort operations for oil tankers moving through the strait but said such missions have not yet begun.
Iranian officials responded by denying that the waterway has been mined while reiterating threats to block the passage if attacks on Iranian territory continue. A senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the country “reserves the right to prevent hostile powers from exporting oil through the Persian Gulf while Iran itself is under attack,” according to state media.
Amidst the mounting concerns over the global fuel supply, the International Energy Agency has proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to restrain soaring crude prices, reported the Wall Street Journal, citing officials familiar with the matter. The release would exceed the 182 million barrels of oil that IEA member nations put on the market in two releases in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the newspaper added.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials said operations against Iranian military infrastructure intensified over the past day. The Israeli Defense Forces reported dozens of additional strikes on missile facilities, drone depots and command centers inside Iran as part of a widening campaign targeting Tehran’s ability to retaliate against regional states. Military officials said more than 5,000 targets have been struck by U.S. forces since the conflict began, including over 50 Iranian naval vessels and numerous missile launch sites, with Tuesday marking one of the heaviest days of bombardment.
In the Gulf, regional governments continue to report frequent missile and drone interceptions. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted eight ballistic missiles and 26 drones on March 10 alone, part of a broader Iranian barrage that has included 189 ballistic missiles and 941 drones since late February. The U.A.E. says the attacks have killed six people and injured at least 122, including foreign nationals.
Elsewhere in the region, Iranian drone strikes targeting ports and oil tankers near Oman have killed at least five people, including a tanker crewmember, and injured several others, according to Omani authorities.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains highly restricted. Although Iranian forces previously warned vessels that “no ship is allowed to pass,” maritime tracking data shows that a limited number of tankers—at least 17 ships in recent days—have still attempted the passage, often with heightened insurance coverage and security precautions.
Countries able to bypass the strait appear to be benefiting most from the disruption. Saudi Arabia, for example, has increased exports through pipelines to its Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing it to maintain significant oil shipments while Gulf producers dependent on Hormuz face mounting delays.
Energy markets remain volatile, with oil prices briefly surging close to $120 per barrel before easing to around $88 after signals from Washington suggesting a potential resolution to the crisis. Analysts warn, however, that any confirmed mining of the strait could trigger a global supply shock and dramatically escalate the conflict.