Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SamuelTheThird

(950 posts)
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 03:25 PM 6 hrs ago

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

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

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Iran begins mining Strait of Hormuz as Washington's tanker escort claim collapses (Original Post) SamuelTheThird 6 hrs ago OP
Three US carrier groups on station - those mines will be cleared in a jiffy. By satellite, they know anywhere ... marble falls 6 hrs ago #1
Mines can be deployed by drones SamuelTheThird 6 hrs ago #2
If I hadn't been USN, I might think the same way. Any drone big enough to plant a naval mine is on radar, ... marble falls 4 hrs ago #6
We'll just tie powerful magnets sarisataka 6 hrs ago #3
But, but, the marmalade shartcannon told us Brother Buzz 5 hrs ago #4
Damn, I forgot that sarisataka 4 hrs ago #5

marble falls

(71,689 posts)
1. Three US carrier groups on station - those mines will be cleared in a jiffy. By satellite, they know anywhere ...
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 03:29 PM
6 hrs ago

... the mining was done.

SamuelTheThird

(950 posts)
2. Mines can be deployed by drones
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 03:33 PM
6 hrs ago

All of you people so confident things will be countered handily have already been demonstrated to be wrong

marble falls

(71,689 posts)
6. If I hadn't been USN, I might think the same way. Any drone big enough to plant a naval mine is on radar, ...
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 05:38 PM
4 hrs ago

... and US spy satellites can count the dimples on a golf ball and can read license plates and can be positioned to look in your windows.

Believe or not, the USN has been dealing with mines for over 100 years.

sarisataka

(22,582 posts)
3. We'll just tie powerful magnets
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 04:12 PM
6 hrs ago

To long lines behind the aircraft. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon...

Brother Buzz

(39,839 posts)
4. But, but, the marmalade shartcannon told us
Tue Mar 10, 2026, 05:09 PM
5 hrs ago

magnets don’t work in water

"Give me a glass of water, let me drop it on the magnets, that's the end of the magnets," - Donald J Trump


Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Iran begins mining Strait...