The Iranian military reportedly loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, raising alarms in Washington over a potential move to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. intelligence sources.
The intelligence, gathered after Israel’s June 13 missile strikes on Iranian sites, suggested Tehran may have been preparing for a major escalation. Although the mines haven’t been deployed, their presence indicates a serious threat to one of the world’s busiest energy routes.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz. A blockade could cripple global supply and send energy prices soaring. Yet, oil prices have actually dipped over 10% in recent weeks as fears of immediate conflict disruptions eased.
Iran’s parliament had passed a non-binding resolution to block the strait on June 22, following U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities. However, any closure decision would rest with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
The U.S. hasn’t confirmed if the mines were ever removed or if their deployment was intended as a psychological tactic. Intelligence was reportedly obtained via satellite imagery or human sources.
A White House spokesperson credited President Biden’s “Operation Midnight Hammer” and broader pressure campaigns for keeping the waterway open. Neither the Pentagon nor Iran’s UN representatives responded to comment requests.
The Strait of Hormuz, only 21 miles wide at its narrowest, is a key conduit for crude oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, and Kuwait, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar. Even Iran exports most of its crude via the same passage, which theoretically limits its interest in a full blockade—though it maintains the capacity to act if ordered.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, is responsible for regional maritime security. Anti-mine vessels had been temporarily withdrawn before U.S. strikes on Iran but are set to be replaced by littoral combat ships with advanced anti-mine technology.
Iran’s only known retaliation to date has been a missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, though further actions remain possible.