ISLAMABAD (PEN) : U.S. intelligence has determined that Iran loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, raising alarms in Washington over a possible attempt to block the vital Strait of Hormuz amid heightened regional conflict, according to two American officials with direct knowledge of the matter.
The preparations reportedly took place following Israel’s June 13 missile strikes on Iranian territory, sparking fears of a broader escalation in the Middle East.
Strait of Hormuz at Center of Global Oil Flow
Roughly 20% of global oil and gas exports move through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a 21-mile-wide passage critical to international energy markets. Although Iran has frequently threatened to block the strait, it has never acted on those threats. If the mines had been deployed, shipping through this key waterway could have been disrupted significantly, leading to global economic reverberations.
The mines were not deployed, and it remains unclear whether they were later removed, according to U.S. sources.
Strategic Timing Amid Rising Tensions
The timing of Iran’s move coincided with increased military activity following the U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, as part of an effort to curtail Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. Shortly afterward, Iran’s parliament passed a non-binding resolution supporting closure of the strait—a decision left to the Supreme National Security Council, according to Iranian state media.
“Thanks to the President’s brilliant execution of Operation Midnight Hammer, successful campaign against the Houthis, and maximum pressure campaign, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, freedom of navigation has been restored, and Iran has been significantly weakened,” said a White House official.
The Pentagon and Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment.
Strategic Deception or Real Threat?
Officials say it’s uncertain whether Iran’s actions were part of a deliberate plan to mine the strait or a psychological tactic to pressure Washington and its allies. Intelligence on the loading of mines is typically gathered through satellite surveillance, human intelligence sources, or both.
“The Iranians could have prepared the mines to convince Washington that Tehran was serious about closing the strait, but without intending to do so,” one U.S. official noted.
Military Capabilities and US Response
Iran is believed to possess over 5,000 naval mines, deployable via small high-speed boats. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, stationed in Bahrain, is tasked with securing the Gulf’s shipping lanes and typically operates mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels in the region. However, these ships were temporarily removed in the days leading up to the June U.S. airstrikes in anticipation of potential retaliation.
That response came in the form of a limited missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. Still, U.S. officials have not ruled out the possibility of future Iranian retaliation or more serious escalations.
Global Market Impact
Despite the tension, global oil prices have declined over 10% since the U.S. strikes, driven by relief that shipping disruptions have so far been avoided. Energy analysts caution, however, that any movement toward mining the strait could rapidly shift market sentiment.
Vital Global Chokepoint
Key Facts About the Strait of Hormuz
Narrowest width: 21 miles (34 km)
Shipping lanes: 2 miles wide each way
Carries ~20% of global oil shipments
Used by major exporters including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar
