US-Iran War Live Updates: The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified further after the US military said it destroyed more than a dozen Iranian vessels believed to be laying naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
According to US officials, American forces targeted and destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats on Tuesday. The move came amid growing concerns that Iran might try to block the key maritime corridor that carries a major share of the world’s crude oil.
The operation took place near the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to global markets. Roughly 20 per cent of global oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for energy supplies.
US-Iran War Live Updates: Iran Threatens to Block Oil Exports
As tensions rise, Iranian leaders issued strong warnings about disrupting oil exports through the region. Officials in Tehran said the country would not allow energy shipments to reach its adversaries if the conflict continues.
Iranian authorities warned that they would not allow “even a single litre” of oil to reach countries they consider enemies. The threat has raised serious concerns among global energy markets and governments that depend on Gulf oil supplies.
U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/371unKYiJs
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026
Despite the warning, US President Donald Trump said in social media posts that there were no confirmed reports that Iran had successfully planted mines in the strategic waterway.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Is So Important?
The Strait of Hormuz is widely considered the most critical energy chokepoint in the world. The narrow sea passage serves as the main route for oil exports from major producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Because such a large portion of global crude passes through the strait, any disruption could quickly impact energy markets, shipping routes and fuel prices worldwide.
Reports suggested that Iran had started deploying mines in the waterway to threaten tanker traffic. In response, US forces launched operations to neutralise vessels suspected of laying those explosives.
The US military also released unclassified video footage showing several of the targeted Iranian boats during the operation.
US-Iran War Live Updates: US Warns of More Intense Strikes Ahead
The war between the US and Iran has now entered its 11th day, and officials in Washington signalled that further military action could follow. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the conflict could escalate further, saying the most intense strikes might still lie ahead.
At the same time, the Pentagon reported that several American troops had suffered injuries during operations linked to the conflict. Both sides have hardened their positions, and Iranian leaders have rejected any possibility of negotiations with Washington.
Middle East Conflict Expands Across the Region
The fighting has spread beyond Iran and the United States, affecting multiple countries across the Middle East. Iran has launched missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets and US military bases in the region. It has also targeted energy infrastructure in an effort to disrupt global markets and increase pressure on its opponents.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have continued in several locations linked to Iranian allies. In Lebanon, multiple Israeli strikes in the southern region killed seven people, according to health officials. Among those killed was a Red Cross worker who died after an earlier strike hit his rescue team while they were helping victims.
Another round of Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday reportedly killed four people, including a paramedic associated with a Hezbollah-linked medical group.
US-Iran War Live Updates: Tehran Residents Describe Heavy Airstrikes
Residents in the Iranian capital reported some of the most intense attacks since the war began. One woman said she saw a residential building being hit during the strikes. Several residents who spoke publicly requested anonymity because they feared reprisals.
The ongoing bombardment has forced many families to leave the city. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of people have moved to rural areas seeking safety from the fighting.
Despite the rising tensions, global financial markets have remained relatively stable so far. The US stock market showed limited movement as investors waited for signals about whether the war might escalate further or move toward a resolution.
Oil prices, which initially surged amid fears of supply disruptions, later eased slightly but remain sensitive to developments in the Strait of Hormuz. With the conflict continuing and threats to global energy supply growing, analysts warn that any major disruption in the strait could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.
