Report: Iran considered mining Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strike

U.S. intelligence says Tehran loaded naval mines onto vessels following Israeli attack, raising fears of a global energy disruption.

By David Brummer, World Israel News

Iran took initial steps to potentially block the strategic Strait of Hormuz last month in response to Israeli airstrikes, according to a report published by Reuters on Tuesday.

Citing two U.S. officials, the report said that Iranian forces loaded naval mines onto ships in the Persian Gulf, prompting concern in Washington that Tehran might be preparing to close the vital waterway.

While the mines were not deployed, U.S. intelligence assessments viewed the move as a serious indicator that Iran was weighing retaliation in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.

The preparations came after Israel launched a missile strike on Iranian territory on June 13, targeting military and nuclear-linked facilities, the officials said.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel between Iran and Oman, is a chokepoint for approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments. Any disruption in the waterway would severely impact international energy markets and escalate regional tensions.

Although Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in the past—particularly during periods of heightened tension with the United States and its allies—it has never followed through on those threats.

This recent activity marked the most concrete indication yet that the Islamic Republic might be ready to act on its long-standing warnings. Doing so, however, would likely disrupt the flow of oil from Iran to one of its key backers, China.

Beijing purchases some 90% of Iran’s shipped oil, which amounts to nearly 15% of its total oil imports.

Following U.S. airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22—an effort aimed at hampering Iran’s enrichment capabilities—the Iranian parliament reportedly expressed support for blocking the strait.

However, the motion was non-binding, and any final decision would rest with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, according to Iran’s Press TV.

In the days following the U.S. strikes, oil prices initially spiked but later dropped by more than 10%, suggesting that markets were reassured by the lack of direct interference in oil transport through the Gulf.

Analysts interpret the price dip as a collective relief that the conflict, despite its severity, has not yet disrupted the global energy flow.

Despite rising tensions, Iranian mines remain onboard their vessels, according to sources familiar with the intelligence.

While Tehran’s ultimate deployment of these mines remains uncertain, Western officials caution that the threat is a potent tool in Iran’s regional strategy.

The incident underscores the fragile balance in the Gulf, where even the possibility of military escalation can ripple through global supply chains and energy prices.

While Iran has not yet acted on its implied threats, the loading of mines suggests a readiness to upend the status quo should the conflict with Israel or the U.S. intensify further.

Other reports suggest that Iranian midget submarines are patrolling the shallow waters of the Strait of Hormuz, which represents an escalation from the Islamic Republic’s regime.