The US military says it has destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying boats near the Strait of Hormuz amid a wider campaign to cripple Tehran’s military capabilities under Operation Epic Fury. The strikes come alongside a massive US-Israeli bombing effort that has hit over 5,500 targets in Iran, including key naval assets and nuclear facilities.
The escalation has heightened global concerns over oil supply security and the risk of further regional destabilisation.
US Central Command confirmed the destruction of 16 Iranian minelaying boats near the Strait of Hormuz, alongside over 5,500 strikes on Iranian targets since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
Targets have included more than 60 warships, missile and drone facilities, and defence industry sites, with CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper stating the goal is to end Iran’s ability to project power and threaten shipping.
The strikes have sharply reduced Iran’s missile and drone attacks, with US forces claiming air superiority over large areas of the country.
The latest naval strikes come as part of a broader US-Israeli effort to dismantle Iran’s military capacity, including its naval forces guarding the Strait of Hormuz.
By targeting minelayers, the US aims to neutralise a key Iranian tactic to disrupt global oil flows, which has already driven market volatility. CENTCOM has warned civilians to avoid Iranian ports used for military purposes, signalling further potential strikes that could constrain Iran’s maritime operations.
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 with coordinated US-Israeli strikes, including a second major attack on Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility.
Satellite imagery shows entrance structures to Natanz flattened, targeting Iran’s remaining centrifuges and extending its nuclear breakout time. While the destruction is severe, analysts caution it is unclear if Iran’s nuclear program has been completely neutralised, though its path to a weapon is now longer and more uncertain.
© 2026, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
