Iran Loaded Naval Mines After Israeli Strikes, Say US Officials

News Desk

Washington: Iran took preparatory steps last month to potentially mine the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, according to two US officials familiar with sensitive intelligence.

The move followed Israeli missile strikes on Iranian targets on June 13, sparking concern in Washington that Tehran was considering a blockade of the strategic waterway.

US intelligence detected the loading of naval mines onto Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf sometime after the Israeli attacks, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

While the mines were not deployed, the act itself indicated that Iran may have seriously contemplated closing the strait—a move that could have triggered a dramatic escalation and disrupted global oil and gas flows.

Roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum and natural gas shipments transit through the narrow strait, which lies between Oman and Iran and connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

A closure could have sent global energy markets into chaos. However, oil prices have dropped over 10% since the US launched retaliatory strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, suggesting markets were reassured by the lack of major disruption.

On June 22, Iran’s parliament backed a non-binding resolution to block the strait. Final authority rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. While Tehran has often threatened to close the strait over the years, it has never acted on such threats.

Reuters could not confirm exactly when the mines were loaded or whether they have since been removed. The intelligence indicating Iran’s move was reportedly derived from satellite imagery and human sources.

Responding to questions, a White House official credited US operations for keeping the strait open.

“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,” the official said. The Pentagon and Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment.

Strategic Implications

Analysts suggest the loading of the mines could have been a calculated bluff or routine contingency planning. The US has not ruled out that it was meant to pressure Washington without actual intent to blockade.

Despite its own reliance on the strait for crude exports, Iran has invested heavily in maintaining the capability to close it. The US Defense Intelligence Agency estimated in 2019 that Iran possessed over 5,000 naval mines, deployable via high-speed boats.

The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, oversees regional maritime security. In anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation, the US temporarily removed all its mine countermeasure ships from Bahrain prior to its June strikes. Iran’s immediate military response was limited to a missile strike on a US base in Qatar.

Officials continue to monitor for any further Iranian actions.