CNN quoted sources as saying that the number of naval mines deployed by Iran is not yet large, only a few dozen in recent days. However, Iran's naval mine deployment capability is still almost intact.
A source revealed that about 80-90% of Iran's small ships and mine-laying vehicles are still operating, allowing Tehran to quickly turn this maritime route into a giant "minefield" if tensions escalate.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the world's "energy throat". As soon as transportation is disrupted, the global energy market could fall into a major shock.
According to military assessments, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with the Iranian Navy, are capable of deploying complex blockade tactics. The scenario mentioned includes scattered naval mines, suicide boats carrying explosives and missile systems deployed along the coast, turning the Strait of Hormuz into an extremely dangerous corridor for commercial ships.
US President Donald Trump issued a tough warning after information about naval mines appeared. In a post on the social network Truth Social on March 10, he declared that if Iran actually placed naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, they must be dismantled "immediately".
Mr. Trump emphasized that if the naval mines are not removed, Iran will face "unprecedented" consequences. However, he also said that dismantling them, if any, would be "a very big step in the right direction".
Immediately after the US President's announcement, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) had begun military operations to destroy Iranian minesweepers.
According to CENTCOM's announcement, the US military has destroyed many Iranian naval ships near the Strait of Hormuz, including 16 ships specializing in naval mines.
Previously, IRGC forces had warned that any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be attacked. Since the outbreak of war, maritime operations in this area have been almost paralyzed. Some sources even described this route as a "valley of death" for commercial ships.
US officials said that the US Navy has not yet organized escort ships across the strait. However, the Washington administration is considering many options to ensure maritime safety, including the possibility of establishing military escort fleets.
Meanwhile, President Trump affirmed that the US has sufficient forces and modern mine detection equipment to ensure the safety of this strategic route.
However, uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz has trapped oil supplies in the Gulf region. It is estimated that nearly 15 million barrels of oil per day and about 4.5 million barrels of refined fuel currently cannot leave the region. Major producing countries such as Iraq and Kuwait have almost no alternative export routes.
In that context, the global oil market fluctuated violently. Brent oil prices in the most recent trading session fluctuated strongly from above 90 USD/barrel to below 80 USD and then rebounded to 87.80 USD/barrel, reflecting growing concerns that the world's "energy throat" could be suffocated at any time.
