Iran begins mining Strait of Hormuz as Washington's tanker escort claim collapses

[SamuelTheThird]

ran has begun deploying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes, according to US intelligence, a dangerous escalation that threatens to deepen the blockade of the world's most vital energy corridor just as Washington's credibility on reopening it took a significant hit on Tuesday.

Small Iranian craft capable of carrying two to three mines each have been detected moving into the waterway, CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs wrote on X, citing reporting by Jim LaPorta.

While Iran's total mine stockpile is not publicly known, estimates over the years have ranged from roughly 2,000 to 6,000 naval mines of Iranian, Chinese, and Russian-made variants.

The intelligence emerged on a day when a bold claim by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright about the Navy escorting a tanker through the strait fell apart in public view.

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/iran-begins-mining-strait-of-hormuz-as-washingtons-tanker-escort-claim-collapses-3216004