Iran has reportedly begun placing naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments, raising concerns about security along one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions and has increased uncertainty around the safety of maritime traffic through the narrow waterway that carries roughly one-fifth of global crude oil supplies.
Sources said the mining activity is currently limited, with only a few dozen mines believed to have been laid in recent days. However, Iran still retains most of its fleet of small boats and mine-laying vessels, meaning it could deploy hundreds more if the situation escalates.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as a critical corridor for oil exports from Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Around 15 million barrels per day of crude oil and an additional 4.5 million barrels of refined petroleum products typically pass through the channel.
Also Read: Asian economies rely heavily on Strait of Hormuz oil route
Security concerns in the strait
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with the country’s conventional navy, maintains a significant operational presence in the strait. Analysts say the force has the capability to deploy dispersed mine-laying craft, explosive boats and coastal missile systems designed to threaten ships moving through the narrow passage.
The IRGC has previously warned that vessels passing through the waterway could face attack during periods of conflict, and the current situation has raised concerns among maritime operators about the safety of commercial shipping.
U.S. officials said the U.S. Navy has not yet escorted vessels through the strait, although President Donald Trump indicated earlier this week that Washington was examining options to protect maritime traffic if needed.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that if Iran had deployed mines in the strait, they should be removed immediately, adding that failure to do so could trigger serious military consequences.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that U.S. Central Command had taken action against vessels suspected of mine-laying operations, describing the move as part of efforts to prevent threats to navigation in the strait.
Oil markets react to uncertainty
The uncertainty surrounding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to volatility in global oil markets.
Crude prices swung sharply on Tuesday, briefly rising above $90 per barrel before falling below $80 as traders reacted to developments and the potential impact on global supply.
Energy analysts note that several Gulf producers, including Iraq and Kuwait, rely heavily on the strait for exporting oil and have limited alternative routes for transporting crude to international markets.
Officials from the Group of Seven (G7) economies have suggested that strategic oil reserves could be released if supply disruptions intensify.
For now, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point for energy markets and international shipping, as governments and industry monitor developments in the strategically vital waterway.
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