Iran lays mines in Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil flow - report

Iran has reportedly begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, U.S. intelligence sources told CNN response, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. has already taken action.

“I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine-laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow,” Trump said in a statement on TruthSocial.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait each day. Even a minor disruption could cause tanker delays, drive up global oil prices, and create ripple effects for economies heavily reliant on energy imports.

US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Tehran, demanding that any mines be removed immediately.

Iran lays mines in Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil flow - report - i24NEWS

US President Trump said on Truth Social that the US has hit and destroyed 10 mine-laying boats in the Strait of Hormuz

www.i24news.tv

 

[Margery]

Sign of desperation on Iran's part. Glad that Trump is going after the mine laying vessels.

 

[dwb]

I thought the Iranian Navy was already destroyed? Evidently not!

 

[Andy C]

I highly doubt they laid mines. There mine layers ships were destroyed as soon as they tried to leave port.

This is by far the most decisive military display of might I have seen in all my lifetime.

Tonight, the big boys will drop tons of ordinance, the B1 bombers.

 

[KMendel]

Deb read that Lloyds of London has canceled insurance on cargo/oil ships in that area. Hence, the ships have stopped moving. Trump has said the US taxpayers will pay for a new insurance company that will insure the ships. So..... no mines, just no insurance as of now.

If it were Iran mines being laid, Trump wouldn't say the war is practically over.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Fertilizer is already in short supply because of shipping "issues" in the area (both Hormuz and Suez)

Hopefully both oil and fertilizer delays can be rectified quickly. Planting season is upon us, or arriving soon.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Hence, the ships have stopped moving.

I've read somewhere that ships are turning off their transponders and proceeding through the strait. Who knows? At this point Iran may not have the capability to know what is or isn't moving through the strait.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I've read somewhere that ships are turning off their transponders and proceeding through the strait. Who knows? At this point Iran may not have the capability to know what is or isn't moving through the strait.

All it takes is someone with a phone on the shore or a small craft anchored someplace where they can observe the water ways (shipping lanes and otherwise). Binoculars, preferably with night vision and range finding help for plotting and targeting. A good old fashioned compass and sextant . . .

We used to watch the ships go through Death's Door from my Parents' property on the east shore of Green Bay. We had a book that showed country markings and ship types, so we could see where the various ships were from and what kinds of cargo they might be carrying. A LOT of ore ships. If we had had night vision back then, we could have seen who the ships belonged to that went by at night. Different ships had different lighting schemes.

We think the zebra mussels that proliferated through the Great Lakes came from an infected ship (likely Chinese). The Chinese took a LOT of OUR fresh water back with them. The excuse was "ballast." They should have been taking stuff they bought from us back after they dropped their cargo here

 

[LydiaJoy]

I’m surprised they didn’t plan to make sure this area was more secure from this type of thing happening. Below outlines the challenges and efforts to date.


Challenges to Securing the Strait
While the U.S. and its allies continuously monitor the region, fully preventing mines is difficult for several reasons:

• Geography: The Strait is narrow, with a limited, shallow shipping lane that can easily be obstructed.
• Asymmetric Tactics: Iran uses small, fast-moving, and low-cost boats to deploy mines, which can be difficult for large, conventional naval vessels to spot and intercept.
• High-Volume Traffic: Thousands of vessels pass through the region, making constant, comprehensive escorts resource-intensive and, at times, logistically impossible.
• Threat to Escorts: Naval specialists note that even with an international coalition, protecting every ship is challenging, as small boats or drones could overwhelm individual escort vessels.
  The Strauss Center +4

Efforts and Countermeasures

• Mine Countermeasure Operations (MCM): The U.S. Navy and allies maintain specialized mine-sweeping capabilities, including unmanned systems (UUVs) and helicopters, to clear routes.
• Intelligence Surveillance: The U.S. heavily utilizes surveillance to detect minelaying, as evidenced by the quick identification of the recent activity.
• Naval Presence: The U.S. 5th Fleet remains stationed in the region to deter, detect, and respond to threats.
  
  
  channel16.dryadglobal.com +4

The situation remains fluid, with the threat of mining acting as a critical, low-cost tool in a broader geopolitical conflict.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I’m surprised they didn’t plan to make sure this area was more secure from this type of thing happening. Below outlines the challenges and efforts to date.


Challenges to Securing the Strait
While the U.S. and its allies continuously monitor the region, fully preventing mines is difficult for several reasons:

• Geography: The Strait is narrow, with a limited, shallow shipping lane that can easily be obstructed.
• Asymmetric Tactics: Iran uses small, fast-moving, and low-cost boats to deploy mines, which can be difficult for large, conventional naval vessels to spot and intercept.
• High-Volume Traffic: Thousands of vessels pass through the region, making constant, comprehensive escorts resource-intensive and, at times, logistically impossible.
• Threat to Escorts: Naval specialists note that even with an international coalition, protecting every ship is challenging, as small boats or drones could overwhelm individual escort vessels.
  The Strauss Center +4

Efforts and Countermeasures

• Mine Countermeasure Operations (MCM): The U.S. Navy and allies maintain specialized mine-sweeping capabilities, including unmanned systems (UUVs) and helicopters, to clear routes.
• Intelligence Surveillance: The U.S. heavily utilizes surveillance to detect minelaying, as evidenced by the quick identification of the recent activity.
• Naval Presence: The U.S. 5th Fleet remains stationed in the region to deter, detect, and respond to threats.
  
  
  channel16.dryadglobal.com +4

The situation remains fluid, with the threat of mining acting as a critical, low-cost tool in a broader geopolitical conflict.

U.S., Italians, Norwegians, etc. have awesome minesweeper ships and other capabilities to deal with mines and other munitions and hazards in the water.

Unfortunately, unless anchored physically or electronically, such hazards move, necessitating continuous vigilance and action.

It costs a LOT more money and time to build a ship than a bunch of mines or air or underwater drones.