Iran begins laying mines in Strait of Hormuz, sources say
Source: CNN
Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most important energy chokepoint that carries about one-fifth of all crude oil, according to two people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue.
The mining is not extensive yet, with a few dozen having been laid in recent days, the sources said. But Iran still retains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers, one of the sources said, so its forces could feasibly lay hundreds of mines in the waterway.
Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which now effectively controls the strait along with Irans traditional navy, has the capability to deploy a gauntlet of dispersed mine-laying craft, explosive-laden boats and shore-based missile batteries, CNN has reported.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/10/politics/iran-begins-laying-mines-in-strait-of-hormuz
Looks like Iran is serious about closing Hormuz.
Bread and Circuses
(1,920 posts)UpInArms
(54,793 posts)HE was going to take control of the Strait of Hormuz
bluedigger
(17,429 posts)Once you start bombing their oil facilities, Iran doesn't really need it.
paleotn
(22,074 posts)The party being threatened has nothing to lose going all out to retain their position. And precisely the reason they want nuclear weapons. Just ask Kim. They're the ultimate insurance against regime change. When Shitler tires of this and moves on, Iran will crash course functional nukes and delivery systems. There will be no regime change since that takes a step Shitler can't make and he knows it. Full invasion. And no, we're not going into a country nearly the size of Western Europe and spirit away the 440 kg of enriched material, wherever the hell it might be hiding. Even the US doesn't have that level of capabilities.
BeyondGeography
(41,019 posts)blue-wave
(4,905 posts)This is working out well for the republicans.
OC375
(743 posts)At least 15 of the littoral combat ships are minesweepers by now, and they have underwater drones that do a lot of the work. Then there's the aircraft capability which I think everyone in NATO has...
If true it's going to be more bad PR for Iran, and probably more ammunition for someone to push for a permanent naval force of some sort "running" Hormuz.
70sEraVet
(5,431 posts)Cheap to manufacture, cheaper to operate, and no service personnel
injured.
That's good news, but there are still a number of options for the Iraqis to close the strait.
ananda
(34,948 posts)Wheee
democratsruletheday
(1,858 posts)nothing to see. OVAH!