U.S. military forces have reportedly destroyed more than a dozen Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement from the U.S. government. The Islamic Republic has vowed to retaliate by blocking oil exports from the region, declaring it would not allow “even a single liter” of oil to be shipped to its adversaries. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with both sides intensifying their military actions in the strategically vital waterway. The U.S. military confirmed the strike occurred on Tuesday, though specific details about the operation remain limited. Iran’s response has focused on economic retaliation, with officials threatening to disrupt global oil markets. This comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, where the war has already caused significant casualties. Officials in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel reported at least 1,230 deaths in Iran, 480 in Lebanon, and 12 in Israel. The conflict has also displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with Lebanon’s social affairs minister stating that 780,000 individuals have been forced to leave their homes. The situation has drawn international attention, with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announcing that a delegation, including military experts, is traveling to Gulf countries to strengthen defenses. The move follows Iranian attacks that have heightened regional tensions. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s court has ordered the release of the bodies of 84 Iranian sailors killed in a U.S. submarine attack off the country’s southern coast. The remains will be transferred to Iranian officials, who are set to travel from the capital, Colombo, to Galle for the handover. Bahrain has also faced heightened security concerns, with authorities sounding an air raid siren late Wednesday.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #bahrain #us_military #iranian_mine_laying_vessels
