TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two United States officials on Tuesday claimed that the Iranian military planted sea mines on ships in the Persian Gulf last month. They accused Iran of aiming to block the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian military loaded sea mines onto ships in the Persian Gulf last month, a move that raised concerns in Washington that Tehran is preparing to block the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's attacks on several locations in Iran, according to two U.S. officials, Reuters reported in an exclusive article as cited by Mehr and i24News.
Previously unreported preparations, which were detected by U.S. intelligence, occurred shortly after Israel launched its first missile attack on Iran on June 13, officials claimed, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.
The loading of mines, which have not been deployed in the strait, indicates that Tehran may be serious about closing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. This would be a step that escalates the already heightened conflict and severely disrupts global trade.
Approximately a fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and a blockade is likely to raise world energy prices.
It is uncertain when Tehran loaded the mines, which, if deployed, would effectively halt ships from moving through the main thoroughfare.
It is also unclear whether the mines have been unloaded.
The sources did not disclose how the U.S. ensured that the mines were placed on Iranian ships. However, such intelligence is usually gathered through satellite imagery, secret human sources, or both.
The Pentagon did not promptly respond to requests for commentary. The Iranian mission to the United Nations also did not respond to requests for comment.
The Iranian parliament has voted to block the strait, even though the Supreme National Security Council has not made a final decision, according to Iran's Press TV.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most crucial shipping lanes for global oil supply traffic. The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, allows approximately 20 percent of the world's daily oil consumption, or about 20 million barrels, to pass through it.
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