Axios says Iran laid additional mines in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy laid additional naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, Axios reported on Thursday, citing a U.S. official and a source familiar with the matter. There was no immediate confirmation from Iran.

The report said tensions were rising again in one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, where the United States has increased its naval presence and mine-clearing operations. Reuters has described the Strait of Hormuz disruption as the biggest oil supply shock on record by daily output lost, citing International Energy Agency data.

After the report, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military should “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats laying mines in the waterway, according to the Associated Press.

The renewed threat in the strait could add to volatility in global oil markets. Reuters reported earlier this month that the IEA had called the disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz the largest in the history of the global oil market.