Trump Doubts Iran Mining Reports as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

President Donald Trump cast doubt Wednesday on reports that Iran had placed naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes. When pressed by reporters, Trump responded simply, "We don't think so" — directly contradicting a Reuters report citing insider sources who claimed Iran had deployed roughly a dozen mines in the strategic waterway.

Despite the growing security concerns, Trump encouraged American oil companies to continue navigating the strait, signaling confidence in the route's safety. The president stopped short of offering a clear timeline for ending the U.S.-Iran conflict, saying the country was "not finished yet" and needed to keep doing "more of the same."

In a separate interview with Axios, Trump suggested the war could wrap up soon, arguing there was "practically nothing left to target" in Iran. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to walk back that assessment, clarifying there was no set timeline for pursuing Iran's total defeat.

Tensions in the region continued to intensify as U.S. Central Command issued an urgent warning urging civilians to immediately avoid all port facilities where Iranian naval forces were operating near the strait. Adding to the alarm, the UK Navy reported Wednesday that three vessels were struck by suspected projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, while Oman confirmed a Thai-flagged cargo ship was also targeted.

The geopolitical turmoil is already sending shockwaves through global energy markets. The International Energy Agency moved to release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves — more than double the amount released following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Gulf oil producers have already been forced to cut output by roughly six percent, raising fresh concerns about global supply stability.