WASHINGTON, July 3 (Alliance News): Iran secretly loaded naval mines onto its military vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, raising serious concerns in Washington that Tehran was preparing to block the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes on its territory.
According to two senior US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the mines were loaded after Israel carried out missile attacks on Iranian sites on June 13.
Although the mines have not yet been deployed, US intelligence believes the action indicated a credible threat to the security of one of the world’s most vital maritime trade routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains the most critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with nearly 20% of the world’s oil and gas passing through its narrow channel.
A closure or disruption of traffic in the strait could lead to severe consequences for global commerce and energy prices.
While Tehran has historically issued threats to block the strait during periods of regional conflict, it has never followed through.
However, the recent military and political escalations, including US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, appear to have pushed the Iranian leadership to take more concrete steps toward asserting its control in the Gulf.
Reports indicate that Iran’s naval preparations followed a symbolic parliamentary vote on June 22 in favor of blocking the strait.
Although the vote was not legally binding, it sent a message to the international community about Tehran’s willingness to consider extreme options.
The final authority to enact such a measure lies with the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.
State media also reported growing frustration in Tehran over what it called the international community’s silence on the Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, particularly the IAEA’s refusal to condemn the action.
The intelligence regarding the loading of naval mines was reportedly obtained through a combination of satellite imagery and covert sources.
Officials did not disclose the specific methods used but suggested the information was consistent and reliable.
It remains unclear whether the mines are still on board or have been removed since. US officials have also not ruled out the possibility that the loading operation may have been intended as a psychological tactic to warn Washington and its allies rather than a plan to initiate a full-scale maritime blockade.
A White House official, responding to the developments, said the United States had taken strong pre-emptive actions to secure maritime routes in the region.
He stated, “Thanks to the President’s brilliant execution of Operation Midnight Hammer, successful campaign against the Houthis, and maximum pressure strategy, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, freedom of navigation has been restored, and Iran has been significantly weakened.”
While the Pentagon has not issued an official statement, the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, which is responsible for maritime security in the region, continues to monitor the situation closely.
The geopolitical importance of the Strait of Hormuz cannot be overstated. Situated between Oman and Iran, the strait is just 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, with only a two-mile shipping lane in each direction.
It serves as the main export route for OPEC giants such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait. Qatar, one of the world’s largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas, also relies heavily on this route.
While Iran itself exports oil through the strait, analysts argue that its own economic reliance has never stopped the regime from developing the means to block it in a crisis.
The Iranian Navy is believed to maintain a stockpile of over 5,000 naval mines, as estimated by the US Defense Intelligence Agency.
These mines can be deployed rapidly using high-speed boats and smaller naval vessels.
Military experts have long warned that even a temporary disruption in the strait could be catastrophic for global energy markets.
Although oil prices have so far declined since the US airstrikes—dropping over 10% due to relief that hostilities had not spiraled—market analysts caution that the region remains on a knife’s edge.
Preparations for a possible confrontation had already led to changes in US military posture in the region. Before the June 22 strikes, the US Navy withdrew its mine countermeasure ships from Bahrain to safeguard them from potential retaliation.
These vessels are now being replaced with newer littoral combat ships that possess anti-mine capabilities. While Iran’s immediate response to the US airstrikes was limited to a missile attack on an American base in Qatar, security officials stress that the possibility of further Iranian retaliation remains high.
The broader context of the tension includes Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, and accelerate its civilian nuclear programme.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed last week that key facilities such as the Fordow nuclear site suffered “serious and heavy” damage in the US strikes.
In response, Iran’s parliament passed legislation mandating that future inspections by the IAEA would require national security clearance and reaffirmed Tehran’s intent to pursue nuclear development for peaceful purposes.
Despite the mounting pressure and escalations, there are signs that both sides are keen to avoid a full-blown war.
The United States has stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region, while Iran has made no formal move to block the strait.
However, the mine-loading operation, even if symbolic, signals Tehran’s capacity and willingness to retaliate through non-conventional means.
As tensions simmer, diplomatic avenues remain limited. The lack of formal communication between Washington and Tehran leaves room for miscalculation, and regional allies such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to urge restraint.
Yet, with the ongoing volatility, experts caution that a single incident—such as the deployment or accidental detonation of one mine—could trigger a broader crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz, once again, finds itself at the center of global strategic concerns. As one senior US intelligence official put it, “Iran has shown that it has the tools and the will to disrupt the world’s energy supply. Whether it chooses to do so is now a matter of political calculation.”
