Washington, D.C. — U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed that Iran made preparations to potentially mine the Strait of Hormuz in June, following Israeli strikes on its nuclear infrastructure. According to senior American officials, Iranian forces loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf, signaling a possible threat to one of the world’s most critical maritime oil routes.
The intelligence indicates that while Iran has not yet deployed the mines, the preparations were serious enough to prompt heightened monitoring and concern within U.S. defense circles. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf with global markets, sees nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments and liquefied natural gas pass through daily. Any disruption in this strategic waterway could have significant repercussions for global energy security and prices.
The timing of Iran’s actions appears to be a response to the June 13 Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. These attacks reportedly damaged key centrifuge facilities and prompted a missile retaliation from Iran against U.S. bases in Qatar. The current escalation is part of a broader confrontation referred to in some circles as the “12-Day War.”
Iran's parliament passed a symbolic resolution on June 22 calling for the closure of the Strait, but the ultimate decision lies with the country’s Supreme National Security Council. So far, no official directive has been issued to carry out such a move. Iranian officials have remained non-committal on whether the government will take direct action.
Despite these developments, global oil prices have remained relatively stable, even dropping more than 10 percent in recent weeks. Analysts attribute this to the continued flow of maritime traffic through the Strait and the perception that Iran’s actions may be more about signaling deterrence than an actual intent to disrupt trade.
The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, has increased readiness in response to the situation, including deploying mine-countermeasure capabilities. American officials caution that any attempt to close the Strait would be met with a swift military response, warning that such an act would pose a direct threat to global commerce.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also issued warnings to European countries against taking what it described as a “destructive approach” toward the regional conflict. Diplomatic efforts by the European Union and China continue, but Tehran has shown resistance to international pressure, reiterating its grievances over Western policies and military interventions in the region.
As of now, the mines remain undeployed and the shipping lanes open, but tensions persist. Analysts note that while Iran’s maneuver may serve to remind global powers of its strategic leverage, a full-scale closure of the Strait would be detrimental to Iran itself, which relies on the same route for its own energy exports.
International observers remain on alert, closely watching Tehran’s next move and the potential implications for energy markets, regional stability, and global diplomacy.