US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Iran of “consequences of a level never seen before" after reports surfaced that Tehran was laying mines in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
This warning came afterCNNreported, citing people familiar with US intelligence reporting, that Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, an important energy checkpoint that carries about 20% of the world’s crude oil shipments. The mining is not extensive yet, with a few dozen having been laid in recent days, as per the report.
“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them 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. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!" Trump said on Truth Social.
‘Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE!" he further warned.
In another post, Trump claimed to have struck and destroyed 10 inactive mine-laying vessels. “I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow!" he said.
According to theCNNreport, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard that is now controlling the strait has the capability to deploy a “gauntlet" of dispersed mine-laying craft, explosive-laden boats and shore-based missile batteries.
The IRGC has previously warned that any ship passing through the strait would be attacked, and the channel has effectively been closed since the start of the war, choking energy supplies and spiking fuel prices.
This came after US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US Navy had escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, before deleting the post on Tuesday. The White House later clarified that the US did not escort the tanker, although that “remains an option."
ALSO READ:US Energy Secretary Deletes Post Claiming Navy Escorted Tanker Through Hormuz
Oil prices took a tumble by 15 percent after Wright’s announcement that this is the first such operation since the US-Israel-Iran war began on February 28. After this, Iran said no US vessels “dared" to enter the Strait and warned of further attacks.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
