- President Donald Trump has warned of grave consequences for Iran amid reports that they’ve begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Reports emerged Tuesday suggesting Iran had laid “a few dozen” mines in the crucial energy chokepoint that a fifth of all crude oil travels through. The strait has been a flashpoint since the start of the war as Iran threatened to set any ship that tried to pass through on fire.
- “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!” Trump wrote. “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.”
- Trump continued, “If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction! 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.”
- He later added that the US has destroyed 10 inactive mine-laying vessels “with more to follow.”
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