Iran Loads Naval Mines, Raising Fears of Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Iran’s military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, raising alarms in Washington that Tehran was preparing to blockade the Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile sites. US intelligence detected these preparations shortly after Israel’s initial attacks on June 13, though the mines were not actually deployed in the strait.

The move suggested Iran was seriously considering closing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, a step that could have escalated the conflict and disrupted global commerce. The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of global oil and gas shipments, and any closure would likely have sent world energy prices soaring.

On June 22, following US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, Iran’s parliament voted to support blocking the strait. However, this decision was non-binding, and only Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has the authority to enforce a closure. Iran has often threatened to close the strait in the past but has never followed through.

US officials did not specify how the intelligence on the mine loading was gathered, but such information typically comes from satellite imagery, human sources, or a combination of both. The White House responded by emphasizing ongoing efforts to keep the strait open and maintain freedom of navigation.

Mines are considered one of Iran’s most effective tools for threatening maritime traffic, as they are cheap, easy to deploy, hard to remove, and create psychological uncertainty for shipping crews. Even a partial shutdown of the strait could disrupt trade and spike oil prices.

It remains unclear whether the mines have since been removed or if Iran still intends to deploy them.

(Photo credit: Fars / IRGC file image)