Iran09 April, 20261 min read
Iran Maps Sea Mines in Strait of Hormuz, Threatens Toll on Tankers
Iran published a map showing a danger zone with sea mines in Strait of Hormuz. Iran planted mines and cannot determine locations or remove them.
Iran's Mine Map
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a map purporting to show a danger zone littered with sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The map was released through semiofficial news agencies ISNA and Tasnim and was dated from February 28 until April 9. American officials confirmed that Iran could not open the strait due to its inability to determine the locations of all the mines it planted.
The New York Times reported that Iran planted naval mines using small boats after the outbreak of war. Trump insisted the strait would be open and safe, while Iran said it had won agreement that it would control the strait and charge tolls.
Mine Threat and Toll
Iran slapped a $2 million toll on each oil tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC warned of the likelihood of anti-ship mines in the main traffic zone and published maps of safe routes. Only two oil tankers managed to slip through after Trump thrashed out a peace deal.
The rogue nation shut the trade route hours later after Iranian Naval officials accused Israel of launching a strike against Lebanon. Greece's Prime Minister called the toll unacceptable and a risk to freedom of navigation.
Mine Types and Risks
Iran is believed to have more than 5,000 sea mines stockpiled. The Maham 3 is a deep-water threat that sits attached to an anchor. The Maham 7 is a high-explosive mine designed to sit on the seabed in shallow water.
Analysts say Iran may be using the mines as a threat to maintain its chokehold on the waterway. Removing naval mines is far more difficult than planting them.