US Sinks 16 Iranian Mine Laying Boats in Strait of Hormuz

Iran has begun laying a dozens of mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to CNN (Lean Left bias). President Trump said if mines were placed and weren't removed, Iran would face consequences "at a level never before seen."

The Details: In a Truth Social post, Trump threatened to escalate attacks on Iran if it had put mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Minutes after, he said in another post the US military had destroyed 10 inactive mine laying boats in the Strait. US Central Command (CENTCOM) updated that number to 16. According to CNN, Iran still has upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers in the strait. The Epoch Times (Lean Right) said Iran allegedly has over 3,000 speedboats in the waterway. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) currently has full control of the strait and has warned that any ship passing through would be attacked. 

For Context: On Tuesday, the Pentagon said about 140 US service members had been wounded since the start of the war. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told The Hill (Center) the "vast majority" of these injuries have been "minor" and 108 service members have returned to duty. He also said eight service members remain severely injured and are getting the "highest level of medical care." Seven other service members have been killed in Iranian attacks on US forces in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. 

How the Media Covered It: The Epoch Times covered the impact on commercial shipping and oil. It also emphasized Trump saying he wouldn't "allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage" and stop the global oil supply. Another Epoch Times article emphasized the IRGC's decades of small-craft operations training and the challenges the US might pose as it targets Iranian ships. CNN noted Trump's plans for the US Navy to escort ships through the strait and "uncertainty" surrounding the ability to get oil through.

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