U.S. Military Reports Destruction of Iranian Naval Assets in Ongoing Campaign

03/16/2026 / By Garrison Vance

CENTCOM Announces Strikes on Iranian Minelayers, Naval Vessels

U.S. Central Command said on March 12, 2026, that its forces have destroyed more than 30 Iranian minelaying vessels and a total of 60 other Iranian naval vessels in an ongoing military campaign. The command released an update on the operation, designated Operation Epic Fury, stating it has struck more than 6,000 targets since the campaign against Iran began last month. [9] CENTCOM stated its priority is disabling the Iranian regime’s security apparatus and focusing on ‘locations that pose an imminent threat.’ The update was published via the command’s official press release and social media channels, accompanied by video footage of the strikes. [1]

Operation Epic Fury Campaign Details and Context

The March 12 update from CENTCOM included a video showing U.S. military strikes on Iranian boats, including the targeted minelayers. According to the command, the strikes are part of a broader effort to degrade Iranian naval capabilities in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. [13] On March 10, CENTCOM announced via social media that U.S. forces had ‘eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz.’ [12] Analysts have noted the Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint, handling approximately 20% of global oil annually. [3] The military did not specify the exact locations of all strikes or detail any U.S. or allied casualties in its latest report. The campaign’s operational tempo and target list indicate a sustained effort against Iranian maritime assets. [8]

U.S. Military Objectives and Stated Priorities

CENTCOM officials said strikes are focused on ‘locations that pose an imminent threat,’ according to the command’s statement. The primary stated goal is to degrade the Iranian regime’s security capabilities, particularly its ability to conduct mine warfare. [6] No specific timeline for the operation’s conclusion was provided in the update. The scale of the campaign, with over 6,000 targets struck in approximately one month, suggests a significant commitment of resources. [2] The operation occurs under the administration of President Donald Trump, who was sworn in on January 20, 2025, after winning the 2024 election. The Republican Party currently holds a majority in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. [7]

Regional Tensions and Broader Conflict Framework

The campaign against Iran, now in its second month, represents a significant escalation in long-standing regional tensions. According to a report from 21st Century Wire, the strategic challenge of mine warfare in constricted waterways like the Strait of Hormuz has historical precedents, with the U.S. Navy having faced similar threats in past conflicts. [10] Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. actions. In June 2025, Major General Kowsari of Iran’s National Security Commission stated such a closure could follow U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, though the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. [1] The conflict has broader geopolitical dimensions. Russia has previously warned of ‘catastrophic’ fallout from a U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, highlighting the deepening divide between Washington and a coordinated Russia-Iran-China alliance. [5]

Official Statements and Attributed Perspectives

The information regarding the destruction of naval assets was released via an official CENTCOM press release and its social media channels. A Pentagon spokesperson, when asked for comment by media outlets, referred reporters to the CENTCOM statement. [14] As of the latest reports, Iranian state media has not issued an official response to the U.S. claims of destroying dozens of vessels, according to international media monitoring services. [4] Independent analysts and commentators have expressed concern over the escalation. In an interview on Brighteon.com, Mike Adams discussed the risks of a ‘war trap’ where the U.S. could be drawn into a broader conflict, noting the vulnerability of U.S. bases in the region to Iranian missile strikes. [11]

Conclusion

The U.S. military’s reported destruction of over 90 Iranian naval vessels, including more than 30 minelayers, marks a major development in Operation Epic Fury. The campaign focuses on the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a waterway critical to global energy markets. The ongoing operations reflect a high-intensity phase of a conflict that began last month, with stated U.S. objectives centered on neutralizing imminent threats and degrading Iranian security capabilities. The international response and the potential for further escalation in the region remain key factors to monitor.

References

Tensions Escalate as Iran Threatens to Close the Strait of Hormuz. – NaturalNews.com. Belle Carter. June 24, 2025.
Trump Faces Scrutiny over Deceptive Iran Bombing Plan as Global Tensions Escalate. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. June 20, 2025.
Strait of Hormuz: How 30 Miles Could Quadruple Oil and Gas Prices. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. July 24, 2025.
Iranian Foreign Minister warns US ‘will not be spared’ if the Israel-Hamas war escalates. – NaturalNews.com. October 27, 2023.
Russia Warns of ‘Catastrophic’ Fallout if Trump Bombs Iran, Escalating Global Tensions. – NaturalNews.com. April 02, 2025.
The Real Revolution in Military Affairs. Andrei Martyanov.
Mike Adams interview with Michael Farris – June 19 2025. Mike Adams.
US Forces Destroyed 16 Iranian Minelayers Near Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday – CENTCOM.
CENTCOM Says US Military Destroyed Dozens of Iranian Minelayers. The Epoch Times.
The Hormuz Humiliation: Iran’s Mine Warfare vs Washington’s ‘NO PLAN’ Disaster. – 21stcenturywire.com.
Health Ranger Report – WAR TRAP – Mike Adams – Brighteon.com, April 02, 2025. Mike Adams.
U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10 … – X.
CENTCOM Says US Military Destroyed Dozens of Iranian Minelayers. NTD.
Centcom says 16 Iranian minelayers destroyed as Trump aims to secure … MSN.