US sinks 16 Iranian boats in bid to prevent Hormuz energy blockade

Tensions in the Persian Gulf escalated sharply as the United States conducted its most intense military strikes against Iran since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026. On March 10, the US destroyed 16 Iranian vessels suspected of laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning via Truth Social, threatening unprecedented military retaliation if Iran attempted to block the waterway with mines. The US employed advanced surveillance and missile technologies, originally used against drug traffickers, to detect and neutralize Iranian mine-laying boats, underscoring the strategic importance of keeping the shipping lane open to avoid global fuel price disruptions. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the day’s strikes as the most aggressive yet, targeting Iranian military sites, missile installations, and nuclear program elements. Despite heavy bombardment reported in Tehran, Iranian leaders vowed to continue their campaign, launching drones