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2025-07-02 Syria-Lebanon-Iran
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Iran readied to mine Iran’s Strait of Hormuz after Israel began strikes — US sources
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[IsraelTimes] The Iranian military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, a move that intensified concerns in Washington that Tehran was gearing up to blockade the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s strikes on sites across Iran, according to two US officials.
Then the call came from China...
The previously unreported preparations, which were detected by US intelligence, occurred some time after Israel launched its initial missile attack against Iran on June 13, says the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.
The loading of the mines — which have not been deployed in the strait — suggests that Tehran may have been serious about closing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, a move that would have escalated an already-spiraling conflict and severely hobbled global commerce.
About one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz and a blockage would likely have spiked world energy prices.
Global benchmark oil prices have instead fallen more than 10% since the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, driven in part by relief that the conflict did not trigger significant disruptions in the oil trade.
Reuters was not able to determine precisely when during the Israel-Iran air war Tehran loaded the mines, which — if deployed — would have effectively stopped ships from moving through the key thoroughfare.
It is also unclear if the mines have since been unloaded.
The sources do not disclose how the United States determined that the mines had been put on the Iranian vessels, but such intelligence is typically gathered through satellite imagery, clandestine human sources or a combination of both methods.
Asked for comment about Iran’s preparations, a White House official says: “Thanks to the President’s brilliant execution of Operation Midnight Hammer, successful campaign against the Houthis, and maximum pressure campaign, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, freedom of navigation has been restored, and Iran has been significantly weakened.”
The Pentagon doesn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The Iranian mission at the United Nations also doesn’t respond to requests for comment.
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Posted by trailing wife 2025-07-02 00:00||
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