Reuters: U.S. Officials Confirms Iran made preparations to mine the Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The move raised concerns in Washington that Tehran was preparing to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes across Iran.

Could cause severe disruption

The previously unreported preparations were detected by U.S. intelligence and took place sometime after Israel’s initial missile strike on June 13, according to Reuters' sources.

The two officials requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.

Although the mines were not deployed in the strait, their loading suggests that Tehran may have been seriously considering closing the Strait of Hormuz. As one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, any move to block it would have marked a major escalation in an already spiraling conflict — and could have severely disrupted global trade.

Approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and any blockage there would likely cause a sharp increase in global energy prices.

On June 22, shortly after the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three of Iran’s key nuclear sites in an effort to undermine Tehran’s nuclear program, Iran’s parliament reportedly supported a proposal to close the strait. However, this decision was non-binding, with the final authority resting with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, according to Iran’s Press TV at the time.

Although Iran has repeatedly threatened to shut the strait over the years, it has never actually carried out such a closure.

‍A potential ruse

Reuters could not confirm exactly when Tehran loaded the mines during the Israel-Iran conflict. If deployed, the mines would have effectively halted vessel traffic through the strategic waterway.

It also remains uncertain whether the mines have since been unloaded.

The sources did not reveal how the United States obtained information about the mines being loaded onto Iranian vessels, though such intelligence is generally collected through satellite surveillance, clandestine human sources, or a combination of both.

When asked about Iran’s activities, a White House official stated:

“Thanks to the President’s effective execution of Operation Midnight Hammer, the successful campaign against the Houthis, and the maximum pressure strategy, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, freedom of navigation has been restored, and Iran’s position has been significantly weakened.”

The Pentagon and the Iranian mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters.

The two officials noted that the U.S. has not dismissed the possibility that loading the mines was a ruse. According to them, Iran may have prepared the mines to show Washington that Tehran was serious about closing the strait, without necessarily planning to follow through.

The Iranian military may also have been taking precautionary steps in case the country’s leadership decided to proceed with such a move.

Track vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz using ShipAtlas or ShipIntel by Maritime Optima.