The US Department of Defense has revealed Iran's new military tactics involving planting sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting concerns over international maritime navigation.
The US Department of Defense disclosed that Iran is adopting new military tactics aimed at threatening international maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy transport corridor. Reports from American sources indicate that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has recently planted 12 highly explosive sea mines in this strategic area. However, intelligence analyses from CNN suggest that the actual number of mines may be considerably higher, potentially consisting of 'several dozens.'
Sea mines are relatively simple but highly effective and low-cost military weapons, costing only a few thousand dollars each, yet having the potential to sink or entirely disable large vessels due to the hundreds of kilograms of explosives they contain. This raises serious concerns regarding maritime security, given the importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy supplies, as a significant portion of the world's oil and gas transit through this narrow waterway.
In response to these provocative actions, US President Donald Trump has issued threats of swift action against Iran, stating on Truth Social that if Iran plants mines in the Strait, it must remove them immediately. This situation adds to the already volatile state of relations between the US and Iran, heightening fears of escalated military engagement in the region, particularly with ramifications for the broader international community dependent on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
