Iran has reportedly begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to multiple reports, U.S. intelligence agencies are seeing signs that Iran is deploying mines in the world’s most important waterway for oil exports.
CNN reports that the mining is not extensive, but a few dozen mines have been laid in recent days, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps currently controlling the strait along with Iran’s traditional navy.
About one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and any disruption to traffic would be highly damaging to the oil trade.
Iran has attacked several ships in the waterway and has further threatened others, but the strait has not officially closed.
President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would dramatically increase attacks if Iran tried to close the Strait of Hormuz.
“If for any reason mines are placed, and they are not removed fo
prthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before,” Trump wrote.
Oil prices have been volatile since the start of the conflict with Iran due to potential disruptions to the global crude supply.
The strait is only about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point.
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