Iran has begun mining the Strait of Hormuz and Donald Trump is promising a devastating U.S. response. The conflict involving Iran appears to be escalating further. According to CNN, Tehran has started placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial passage through which about 20% of the world’s oil transits. The situation has pushed crude oil prices higher, with inevitable effects on fuel costs. The outlook could worsen if Iran’s actions continue.

Operations in the Strait have not yet reached a large scale, but dozens of mines have reportedly been laid in recent days. Despite U.S. strikes against the opposing navy, Iran still retains about 80-90% of its small boats and mine-laying vessels: the assets available to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which controls the Strait, are sufficient to turn Hormuz into a dangerous chokepoint. The Revolutionary Guards recently announced they would target any tanker transiting the waterway, effectively closing the Strait since the start of the conflict. On Tuesday, the United States denied reports that an escort had been provided to a tanker: maritime traffic is essentially at a standstill.

Trump’s threat

“If Iran has placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have not been informed, we want them removed immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth, responding to the reports. On Monday the U.S. president warned of very harsh measures if the “oil route” were to remain blocked for a prolonged period. That warning does not appear to have deterred Tehran. Instead, the Revolutionary Guards seem to have challenged the White House, leaving Trump with a difficult choice.

“If for any reason mines have been placed and are not removed immediately, the military consequences for Iran will be at a level never seen before,” the president warned, signaling he is not prepared to accept such a provocation. “If they remove what has been placed, it would be a giant step in the right direction,” he added, expressing hope for de-escalation. “We are using the same technology and the same missiles employed against drug traffickers to permanently eliminate any vessels that attempt to mine the Strait. We will deal with them quickly and relentlessly.” The president said the response has already begun: “I am pleased to report that in recent hours we have struck and destroyed 10 mines that were not operational.”

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