CENTCOM warns of military action against vessels laying mines in Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command (CENTCOM) warned on Friday that it would conduct military operations in the Strait of Hormuz and target vessels involved in mine-laying. ‘Military operations will take place in the northern Musandam Peninsula area of the Strait of Hormuz (SOH)… Any vessel observed involved in, or supporting, mine-laying activities will be targeted by US forces for self-defence,’ the warning stated. CENTCOM added that security conditions in the waterway continue to pose a critical maritime threat. On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched strikes against targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire starting 7 April, followed by talks in Islamabad that ended without result. Following the failure of the agreement, the US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. President Donald Trump then extended the cessation of hostilities to give Iran time to submit a peace proposal, though the blockade remains in place.