Naval mines loaded amid fears of blockade, raising global alarm over potential disruption of oil supply routes.
According to a Reuters report citing U.S. officials, Iran’s military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf following Israel’s initial strike on June 13. Though the mines were not deployed, the move signaled Tehran’s potential intent to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for global oil and gas trade.
While Iran regime’s parliament later supported a non-binding measure to close the strait, the Supreme National Security Council has not issued an order to do so. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies pass through this narrow waterway. The U.S. maintains a naval presence in the region to counter such threats. Intelligence sources remain uncertain whether the mine deployment was a show of force or preparation for actual conflict escalation.
