Washington (HRNW)- US officials have claimed that Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about possible disruptions to global shipping routes and international energy supplies.
According to a report cited by The New York Times, a US official familiar with intelligence briefings said that after American forces reportedly destroyed large Iranian vessels capable of laying mines, Iran has started using smaller boats for such operations.
The official stated that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could deploy hundreds of these vessels, which have previously been used to harass large ships, including US Navy vessels. US officials described the efforts as slow and limited in effectiveness, but suggested that Iran may aim to deploy mines faster than they can be cleared, potentially increasing pressure on maritime traffic.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most critical waterways, with around 20 percent of global crude oil and natural gas shipments passing through it. Officials say heightened tensions in the region have already impacted shipping and contributed to fluctuations in oil prices.
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