Iran grapples with drifting sea mines blocking Strait of Hormuz reopening: Report
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Washington: Iran faces mounting hurdles in reopening the Strait of Hormuz after deploying sea mines during recent clashes, with many devices now unaccounted for, US officials say.
The New York Times, citing American sources, reports Tehran’s “haphazard” mining—using small boats last month amid US-Israel airstrikes over its nuclear programme—lacks proper records. Some mines have drifted, complicating detection and endangering the chokepoint that handles one-fifth of global oil, including much of India’s energy imports.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned ships of collision risks, urging alternative routes while keeping one passage open for toll-paying vessels. “All ships intending to transit the Strait of Hormuz are hereby notified that to comply with the principles of maritime safety and to be protected from possible collisions with sea mines… they should take alternative routes for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC stated.
This shadows US-Iran talks in Islamabad, despite a ceasefire and President Donald Trump’s deadline. Iran aims to clear the strait but delays persist, stalling normal shipping.
(Inputs from IANS)
