Trump says Hormuz mines cleared, warns Iran against planting new ones: ‘Immediate destruction’

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that all mines in the Strait of Hormuz had been removed or detonated, saying he had been informed of the development by the US Navy.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned Iran that any ship or boat found placing new mines in the strategic waterway would be “immediately and systematically destroyed”.

“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. He added that Iran had been notified of a “Zero Tolerance policy” on mine placement.

Trump Says US Watching ‘Every Inch’ Of Hormuz, Iranian Nuclear Sites

Trump also claimed that the US was monitoring “every inch” of the Strait of Hormuz and the Pickaxe Mountain site “through Space Force”. Pickaxe Mountain, formally known as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is an Iranian nuclear facility being constructed deep beneath a mountain near the Natanz nuclear complex, according to the Associated Press.

He said US forces were also monitoring the three Iranian nuclear sites previously targeted by American strikes.

Trump earlier on Tuesday accused Iran’s government of failing to pay “large segments” of its military while carrying out a crackdown on protesters. He described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis of epic proportions” and called for it to be stopped immediately.

Iran Vows To Resist New US Sanctions

Trump’s warning over the Strait of Hormuz came as Washington moved to intensify economic pressure on Tehran through new sanctions. The measures expand the use of secondary sanctions, potentially targeting countries, companies and other entities doing business with Iran.

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh struck a defiant tone on Monday, predicting “another defeat” for the US and saying Tehran had a “two-year plan” to withstand Washington’s sanctions.

“They have done everything they could to test the determination of the Iranian people and the country’s officials, but they have failed every time,” Madanizadeh said on state television. He added that the Iranian government had long anticipated such measures and was prepared to manage their impact.