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Iran made preparations to close the strategic Strait Of Hormuz amid the recent war with Israel, Reuters reported on July 2.
Citing two United States officials, the news agency said that Iran loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf sometime during the war, which was started by Israel on June 13. The officials didn’t disclose precisely when this happened, how the U.S. was able to detect the move, or if any of the mines were in fact deployed.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial to the global energy market. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas transit through this narrow waterway.
On June 22, shortly after the U.S. bombed three of Iran’s key nuclear sites, the parliament of the Islamic Republic reportedly backed a measure to block Hormuz. That decision was not binding, and it was up to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to make a final decision on the closure, Iran’s Press TV said at the time.
Two days after the U.S. attack, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, the war came to a sudden end with both Iran and Israel accepting an unconditional ceasefire.
Asked for comment about Iran’s preparations, a White House official told the news agency: “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.”
Iran has for long threatened to close the Strait Of Hormuz in case of an all-out confrontation with Israel and the U.S., and while it stopped short from doing so during the last war, this remains an option for Tehran.
The Islamic Republic has the means to shut down the strategic waterway. Iranian forces can achieve this not only by deploying mines, but also by firing anti-ship missiles from coastal defenses and speedboats, raiding vessels from helicopters and even sending its submarines on hunt-and-kill missions.
The closure of the strait would have a devastating impact on the global energy market. Iran itself would be among the most affected. However, in case of an all-out confrontation, this would not be the worst option for Tehran.
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