Axios today quoted a US official and sources familiar with the situation, stating that Washington detected naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) laying more mines in the Strait of Hormuz. They are closely monitoring the situation and are aware of the specific number of weapons deployed.

This move appears to be the reason President Donald Trump on 23/4 ordered the US Navy to "shoot down and destroy any Iranian vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, no matter how small they are".

Location of the Strait of Hormuz. Graphics: Guardian

This marks Iran's second mine-laying operation in the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on 28/2. Military experts estimate Iran deployed fewer than 100 mines in the first wave, and it is unclear if all have been found and cleared.

The White House declined to comment on the information.

Commercial satellite images taken on 22/4 show dozens of Iranian speedboats and small vessels moving in formation off the coast of Kargan city, north of the Strait of Hormuz, but their purpose remains unclear.

Maritime security experts estimate Iran possessed hundreds to thousands of such vehicles before the conflict. These were hidden in tunnels and coastal bases, as well as blended among civilian vessels.

Iranian speedboats and small vessels off Kargan city on 22/4. Photo: Reuters

US officials claim to have destroyed over 90% of Iran's mine stockpile and the large vessels used to deploy them, but they believe the adversary still hides some assets along the coast. Iran is thought to still possess dozens of Gashti speedboats, each capable of carrying two to four mines.

Trump last month previously stated that the US military would attack all mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This issue has become a focal point as the US President seeks to re-establish maritime traffic through the area amid increasing global economic pressure due to the Strait's closure.

Beyond the risks to commercial vessels operating in the area, mines in the Strait of Hormuz could delay efforts to reopen this vital shipping lane.

Iranian speedboat moving in the Strait of Hormuz in 5/2023. Photo: AP

According to CNN, US Department of Defense officials reported to congressional lawmakers last week that it could take up to six months to completely clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz after the conflict with Iran ends. However, a Pentagon spokesperson on 22/4 stated that a six-month closure of the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable".

Admiral Bradley Cooper, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), the unit responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, said last week that they are "fully capable" of clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Washington has been conducting cleanup operations.

Nguyen Tien (via Axios, AP, AFP, Reuters)