Following the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Strait of Hormuz remains virtually blocked despite President Donald Trump's promise of US military escort. Iran views its dominance over the strait, through which 20% of the world's oil travels, as vital to its regime's survival, leading to an urgent defensive posture. The strait, at its narrowest point of 3.7 km, has been transformed into a challenging zone for navigation by Iran's deployment of mines, explosive drone boats, and missile bases along its coast, making it a continuously threatening passage. Mines, in particular, are notorious for their difficult detection and removal, creating a significant disruption for vessels attempting to navigate the area.