US intelligence has confirmed that Iranian naval forces loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf shortly after Israeli missile strikes targeted Iran in mid-June, signalling Tehran’s serious contemplation of blocking the critical Strait of Hormuz.
According to officials familiar with the matter, while the mines were ultimately not deployed, the move served as a clear warning of Iran’s capability and willingness to escalate in the aftermath of Israel’s 13 June offensive. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints, facilitating nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas trade.
A US defence official described Iran’s posture as deliberate: “This was a clear signal. They wanted the world to know they had options.”
In response to the threat, the US Navy reinforced its maritime posture in the Gulf, dispatching mine-countermeasure ships and intelligence surveillance assets to its strategic base in Bahrain. The initiative aimed to deter any Iranian action that could hinder international shipping.
The White House confirmed that under Operation Midnight Hammer, US efforts successfully kept the strait open and maintained maritime security. A senior official from the National Security Council stated, “Freedom of navigation has been restored, and Iran has been significantly weakened.”
It remains unknown whether the mines are still onboard Iranian vessels or have since been removed. Intelligence sources refrained from disclosing how the movements were detected but suggested the use of satellite surveillance and regional human intelligence assets.
Defence analysts pointed out that, although no mines were deployed, the incident demonstrated Tehran’s capacity to disrupt global commerce. Iran is believed to possess a stockpile of over 5,000 naval mines, which could pose a significant hazard to commercial maritime traffic if used.
Nonetheless, experts highlighted Iran’s economic dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for its own energy exports, making an outright blockade unlikely. “Closing Hormuz would be self-destructive,” noted a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “It’s a bargaining chip, not a point of no return.”
The episode has reignited calls for stronger international maritime cooperation in the Gulf as tensions persist amid ongoing Iranian-Israeli hostilities.
