US president announces zero-tolerance policy on new mine deployment and warns vessels attempting to lay mines will face destruction

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States Navy had removed or detonated all mines detected in international waters of the Strait of Hormuz, while warning Iran against any attempt to deploy new mines in the strategic waterway.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the Navy had informed him that mine-clearing operations had successfully removed the threat from international shipping lanes.

“I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said.

However, independent confirmation of the president’s assertion was not immediately available.

Trump Warns Against Fresh Mine Deployments

Trump said Washington had notified Iran that any vessel attempting to place new mines in the strait would face an immediate military response.

According to the president, US forces would “immediately and systematically” destroy any ship or boat found deploying mines.

Furthermore, Trump announced what he described as a “Zero Tolerance” policy against further mine placement, signalling Washington’s determination to prevent renewed disruption of maritime traffic.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, particularly for energy exports from Gulf countries.

US Says Space Force Monitoring Strategic Sites

Meanwhile, Trump said the US Space Force was monitoring “every square inch” of the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that American surveillance capabilities were also watching Pickaxe Mountain and three other Iranian nuclear sites, which he described as already destroyed.

Trump did not provide additional operational details about the surveillance or mine-clearing mission.

The announcement comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the wider conflict.

Consequently, developments in the waterway remain critical for global shipping and energy markets, as any renewed military confrontation or mining activity could threaten commercial vessels and disrupt international oil supplies.

Iran had not immediately issued a detailed response to Trump’s latest warning.