Iran Deploys Mines in Strategic Waterway, Reports Indicate

According to two individuals with access to US intelligence assessments, Iran has initiated mine-laying operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy artery that transports roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil. The activity, however, remains limited, with only a handful of mines placed in recent days, the sources noted.

Iran’s Naval Capacity and Strategic Threats

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which now shares control of the strait with Iran’s conventional navy, possesses the means to deploy a network of mine-laying vessels, explosive boats, and land-based missile systems, as CNN previously highlighted. One source estimated that Iran still controls over 80% to 90% of its smaller boats, suggesting the potential to deploy hundreds of mines in the region.

“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!”

President Donald Trump emphasized this stance in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, warning that failure to remove mines would lead to “consequences at a level never before seen.” He also noted that the removal of any mines would mark “a giant step in the right direction.”

US Military Response and Oil Market Impact

Following Trump’s remarks, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on X that US Central Command had been targeting Iranian mine-laying ships with “ruthless precision.” The military later confirmed on social media that it had destroyed multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers, near the strait. This action comes amid reports that the channel has been effectively closed since the conflict began, creating a “death valley” for maritime traffic, as described by CNN.

Uncertainty over the strait’s accessibility has disrupted oil supply chains, stranding nearly 15 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude production and an additional 4.5 million bpd of refined fuels in the Gulf. Producers such as Iraq and Kuwait rely entirely on Hormuz for their shipments. The G7 nations have hinted at releasing more oil to mitigate the crisis.

On Tuesday, crude oil prices showed significant fluctuations, trading between $80 and $90 per barrel due to the ongoing uncertainty. US officials stated that the Navy had not provided escorts for vessels passing through the strait, though Trump claimed during a Monday press conference that his administration was evaluating options to ensure safety.

This story has been updated with additional developments.