Iran has begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a major escalation in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel and threatening one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, according to U.S. officials.
The development comes as fighting between Iran and the US-Israel alliance intensifies following strikes that began on February 28, triggering a wider regional crisis. The Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of global oil shipments, has become a focal point of the confrontation and a key strategic chokepoint for global energy trade.
U.S. military officials say Iranian forces have started deploying sea mines from small vessels and other platforms, a move designed to disrupt or block commercial shipping through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Naval mines can severely damage tankers and warships and force lengthy and complex mine-clearing operations.
The Pentagon warned that such actions could further destabilize maritime traffic in the region and increase risks for international vessels carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Shipping activity in the strait has already declined sharply since the conflict began, and insurance costs for vessels operating in the area have surged.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously threatened to block the passage of ships through the strait in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iranian military infrastructure.
Energy analysts warn that any sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could have serious consequences for global oil markets, potentially driving up fuel prices worldwide and affecting industries reliant on energy imports.
The crisis in the waterway is part of a broader regional conflict that has seen missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, rising casualties, and mounting fears of a prolonged war with significant economic and geopolitical repercussions.
Originally Published By: Reuters
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