Iran has loaded marine me on vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, in the context of escaping tensions with Israel, according to American officials quoted by Reuters.
Iran would have prepared the mining of the Ormuz Strait, warns American Photo sources: Archive
Iran loaded marines on ships in the Persian Gulf, during June, signaling a possible intention to block the Ormuz Strait, one of the most important commercial maritime routes. The information comes from two sources within the American intelligence services, quoted by the Reuters Agency. They claim that Iran's preparations were detected after rocket blows launched by Israel on the Iranian territory, starting June 13.
“The loading of mines, which have not yet been located in the straits, suggests that Tehran had serious intentions to close one of the most circulated maritime routes in the world.“, Sources Reuters said. According to them, the gesture could mark a dangerous escalation of the Middle East and would significantly affect international trade. About fifth of world oil and natural gas deliveries pass through the Ormuz Strait.
However, the reference price of crude oil decreased by 10% after the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear installations on June 22, an action meant to paralyze the Iranian atomic program. The decrease was caused in part by the diminution of fears regarding the disturbance of oil trade.
Iran may have intended only to mislead
American officials consulted by Reuters do not exclude the possibility that Iran has loaded the mines to mislead information services, without the real intention to close the strait. It could also be only a preventive measure, in the event of an order from the leadership from Tehran.
The sources cited did not provide details on how the information was obtained, but in such cases satellite images or information obtained from undercover agents are commonly used.
The White House claims that freedom of navigation is maintained
In a comment offered Reuters, a White House official said: “Due to the brilliant execution by the president of the operation Midnight Hammer, the successful campaign against Houthi And the maximum pressure campaign, the Ormuz Strait remains open, the freedom of navigation was restored, and Iran was significantly weakened”.
For now, the Pentagon and Iran representatives at the UN have not responded to the comments requests.
The strategic importance of the Ormuz Strait
The Ormuz Strait, located between Oman and Iran, has a minimum width of only 34 kilometers and a navigation corridor of two nautical miles in each direction. This route passes most of the oil exports of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq, members of OPEC, as well as deliveries of liquefied natural gas, one of the largest exporters globally.
Even Iran exports the majority of oil through this strait, which would theoretically make the blockade unlikely. However, Tehran has shown in the past that he is ready to act. In 2019, the US Defense Information Agency estimated that Iran had over 5,000 marine mines, which could be rapidly running from small and fast ships.
5th US fleet and current risks
The 5th US fleet, based on Bahrein, has the task of ensuring the security of naval traffic in the region. Until recently, the American navy was staying there four specialized ships, but they were replaced with other battle vessels for the coastal area, which also have antiminous capabilities.
Prior to American bombings on Iran, all these ships were withdrawn from Bahrein to prevent any direct attacks on the fleet command center. However, Iran has been limited to a rocket attack on an American Qatar base.
American officials do not exclude the possibility of other retrsency measures from Tehran. In the past, Iran has threatened several times that it will close the Ormuz strait, but has never put into practice such an action.
