The Iranian Defense Council has issued a stern warning that the Persian Gulf will be mined if any enemy forces attack Iran's coastline or islands. This statement follows reports from the American website Axios, suggesting that the United States might be considering the occupation of Kharg Island to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane. Kharg Island is crucial for Iran as it hosts the country's main oil export terminals.

In its declaration, the Iranian Defense Council emphasized that any attack would result in the closure of all incoming routes in the Persian Gulf with naval mines, creating a highly volatile situation reminiscent of the conditions in the Strait of Hormuz. The council's statement also recounted historical difficulties related to naval mines, referencing the ineffectiveness of over 100 mine sweepers in the 1980s, who failed to clear just a couple of mines, underscoring the challenges involved in any potential military engagement in the region.

This warning highlights growing tensions between Iran and the United States, amidst concerns over security in this strategically significant gulf which is crucial for global oil transit. The implications of such mining operations could severely disrupt maritime trade in the area, further escalating hostilities in an already fraught geopolitical environment.