Despite extensive search operations, the US military has yet to find conclusive evidence of Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz. On 29/5, NBC News reported, citing two US officials and a source familiar with the situation, that the US military deployed unmanned submarines, diving robots, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in search operations. While some objects suspected of being mines were detected, there is no conclusive evidence to confirm their nature. "If they exist, the threat is far smaller than we anticipated," one individual stated.

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz off Musandam, Oman on 25/5. *Reuters*

The intensive search efforts stem from earlier intelligence assessments suggesting Iranian mine deployment. Sources indicated that several US intelligence officials believed Iran had deployed mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz either before or during the initial stages of the conflict. US and allied intelligence assessments also suggested Iran might have laid mines in multiple locations across the region.

Despite months of dedicated searching, the US military has not located or neutralized any mines. The US military conducted extensive mine searches in the Strait of Hormuz over recent months, escalating operations prior to launching a mission to assist vessels transiting the area earlier this month. Despite these efforts, no mines were detected or neutralized in the region after several days. "We continuously searched and allocated additional resources, but found no concrete results to confirm earlier reports that Iran had laid dozens of mines," a US official stated.

While definitive evidence remains elusive, US intelligence officials recently suggested a possibility of scattered mines. Recent assessments by US intelligence officials suggest a small number of mines might still be dispersed throughout the Strait of Hormuz. Experts contend that for effective mine deployment along this shipping route, Iran would need to concentrate a substantial amount of explosives in a covert location. The Pentagon has not commented on this information.

The location of the Strait of Hormuz. *Guardian*

The absence of tangible proof raises questions, especially given repeated public statements from high-ranking US officials. This lack of conclusive evidence raises questions regarding the conflict, particularly given President Donald Trump and senior US government officials repeatedly claimed Iran might have deployed mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Concerns about these weapons were a primary reason vessels avoided transiting the strait, compounded by Iranian warnings of attacks on unauthorized maritime traffic.

President Trump emphasized the necessity of mine clearance as part of any resolution. On 29/5, President Trump stated that "all mines, if any, must be cleared" and included as part of any US-Iran agreement to resolve the conflict. He also asserted that the US had already neutralized numerous such weapons using mine-sweeping submarines.

Examples of Iranian mines. *Independent*

A notable incident involved accusations from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, which were later unconfirmed by further analysis. Last month, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, at a press conference, accused Iran of deploying additional mines in Hormuz on 23/4. According to two US officials, the US had gathered intelligence and suspected photographs depicting the activity General Caine referenced. However, subsequent analysis by US experts revealed no indications that Iran had deployed additional mines. Officials stated it was "unclear" why this information was omitted from General Caine's press conference.

The Pentagon's recent actions against Iranian vessels were also noted to lack direct evidence of mine-laying activity in the Strait. On 25/5, the Pentagon announced it had attacked several mine-laying vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), characterizing the action as self-defense. Despite this, two US officials indicated that President Trump's administration lacked evidence demonstrating these ships had laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nguyen Tien (According to NBC News, AP, AFP)