JUST IN: Iran Unable to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz Because It Can’t Find or Remove All Its Own Mines, US Officials Say
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Energy Security & Military Affairs
In an extraordinary twist that has upended the diplomatic calculus of the 40-day war, Iran is unable to fully reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz because it cannot locate or remove all the naval mines it deployed in the waterway, according to U.S. officials who spoke to The New York Times. The revelation comes just as American and Iranian delegations prepare for high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad, where the reopening of the strait was expected to be a central demand from Washington .
The Times reported Friday that Iran used small boats to lay mines in the strait in March, shortly after the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against the country . The operation was conducted in a “haphazard” manner, officials told the newspaper, and it is unclear whether Iran recorded where it placed every mine. Even where locations were documented, some mines have likely drifted from their original positions due to sea currents, making them even harder to locate .
‘Haphazard’ Mining Operation Creates Unintended Obstacle
The mining of the strait was a key component of Iran’s strategy to close the vital waterway, through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil passes. Combined with Iranian drone and missile attacks on vessels, the mines effectively shut down commercial shipping—sending global energy prices soaring and providing Tehran with its most potent leverage in the war .
However, the same mines that gave Iran its best leverage are now limiting Tehran’s ability to comply with U.S. demands to restore normal traffic. The mining operation, according to U.S. officials, was carried out without the meticulous record-keeping necessary for a safe and complete removal .
| Mining Operation Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Timing | March 2026 (shortly after war began) |
| Method | Small boats deployed mines in the strait |
| Quality control | “Haphazard” operation; poor record-keeping |
| Mine drift | Some mines have likely moved due to sea currents |
| Current status | Iran cannot locate all mines; lacks removal capability |
Sources: The New York Times, U.S. officials
The Mine Removal Dilemma: Neither Side Has Adequate Capability
Removing naval mines is significantly more difficult than laying them—a problem that now confronts both Iran and the United States. The process requires specialized equipment and trained personnel and must be carried out slowly to avoid accidental detonations .
U.S. officials told the Times that the American military itself lacks robust mine-removal capabilities in the region. The retirement of four Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships from Bahrain in September 2025—just months before Iran began mining the strait—has left a significant gap in the U.S. military’s ability to clear the waterway . Their replacements, Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships equipped with mine countermeasure mission packages, have experienced significant operational problems, including connectivity issues that force the mothership to operate near or inside minefields .
Iran, according to the officials, does not have the capability to quickly remove the mines—even those it planted itself . The situation has left both nations without adequate rapid mine-clearing assets in the region, creating a physical obstacle to reopening the strait that neither side can easily overcome .
Iran’s ‘Technical Limitations’ Acknowledgment
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly stated that the strait will remain open “with due consideration of technical limitations” — a phrase U.S. officials told the Times reflects Iran’s acknowledgment of its mine-clearing predicament .
Iran left a narrow passage through the strait open, allowing some ships willing to pay a toll to pass through . The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued warnings that vessels could collide with sea mines, and semi-official Iranian news organizations have published charts showing designated “safe” routes .
However, with mines potentially scattered across the waterway and Iran unable to guarantee their removal, even the “safe” routes carry inherent risk—a reality that continues to deter commercial shipping and keep insurance premiums at prohibitive levels .
Trump’s Ultimatum vs. Physical Reality
President Trump has repeatedly demanded the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING” of the Strait of Hormuz, conditioning the two-week ceasefire announced on April 7 on Iran’s compliance . On Friday, Trump declared that the strait would be opened “with or without” Iran’s approval, stating that “we’re going to open up the Gulf with or without them… I think it’s going to go pretty quickly, and if it doesn’t, we’ll be able to finish it off” .
The mine problem, however, suggests that even with political will—and even if Iran were willing to comply fully—Tehran may be physically incapable of delivering on that commitment in the near term .
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Iran’s willingness | Unclear; Tehran has proposed toll-based corridor instead of full reopening |
| Iran’s capability | Cannot locate all mines; lacks removal capacity |
| U.S. capability | Limited mine-clearing assets in region |
| Risk to shipping | Mines still present; insurance premiums remain high |
| Current traffic | Only a handful of vessels (mostly Iranian-linked) have transited since ceasefire |
Sources: The New York Times, maritime tracking data
Strategic Irony: Iran’s Leverage Becomes Its Obstacle
The development represents a significant strategic irony. The mines that gave Iran its best leverage in the war—effectively closing the strait and driving up global energy prices—are now limiting Tehran’s ability to comply with U.S. demands to restore normal traffic .
For the United States, the situation is equally ironic. American and Israeli airstrikes have targeted Iranian naval bases and sunk several ships, but Iran still retains hundreds of small boats capable of laying additional mines or harassing vessels . Eliminating that fleet entirely has proved out of reach for American military planners .
Former CIA Director Bill Burns, speaking on a Foreign Affairs magazine podcast, said Iran “is going to look to maintain the leverage that they have rediscovered by disrupting traffic” through the strait. Tehran, he said, will look to use its ability to throttle the waterway to win “long-term deterrence and security guarantees” and to gain “some direct material benefits” like charging passage fees to fund its post-war recovery .
“That,” Burns said, “sets up a really difficult negotiation right now” .
Implications for the Islamabad Talks
As American and Iranian delegations gather in Islamabad for direct peace talks, the mine problem presents an unexpected and complicating factor. Even if both sides reach a political agreement on reopening the strait, the physical process of clearing the waterway could take weeks or months—during which time global energy markets would remain under pressure and shipping would continue at reduced capacity .
Key questions for the talks include:
| Question | Implications |
|---|---|
| Who will remove the mines? | Neither Iran nor US has adequate capability |
| Will the US assist in mine removal? | Would require cooperation with Iranian military—politically difficult |
| Can a partial reopening be negotiated? | Iran has proposed toll-based corridor; US has rejected |
| How long will clearance take? | Experts estimate weeks or months |
| What happens to the ceasefire? | Trump’s “two weeks” may expire before strait is safe |
The Iranian delegation in Islamabad includes four senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—the very force that laid the mines. Their presence at the negotiating table suggests that technical discussions on mine removal could be part of the agenda, though significant trust deficits remain .
What Comes Next: A Physical Obstacle to Peace
As the Islamabad talks begin, the mine problem serves as a reminder that even successful diplomacy cannot immediately overcome physical realities. The strait will not reopen safely until the mines are located and removed—a process that could take considerable time, even under the best of circumstances .
For President Trump, who has staked the ceasefire on the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING” of the strait, the mine problem presents a challenge. “Immediate” may not be possible, even with full Iranian cooperation. “Safe” cannot be guaranteed until the mines are gone.
For Iran, the mines that provided leverage now threaten to become a liability. If Tehran cannot clear the waterway, it risks being seen as either unwilling or unable to meet its commitments—damaging its credibility in negotiations and potentially provoking renewed U.S. military action .
For the world, the stakes could not be higher. Every day the strait remains closed, energy prices remain elevated, supply chains remain disrupted, and the risk of further escalation remains present.
As one analyst noted, the path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz runs not only through the negotiating table in Islamabad but also through the murky waters of the Gulf—where mines lie hidden, waiting to be found.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why can’t Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
According to U.S. officials who spoke to The New York Times, Iran cannot locate or remove all the naval mines it deployed in the strait. The mining operation was conducted in a “haphazard” manner, with poor record-keeping, and some mines have likely drifted from their original positions .
2. When did Iran lay the mines?
Iran used small boats to lay mines in the strait in March 2026, shortly after the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against the country on February 28 .
3. Can the United States remove the mines?
The U.S. military lacks robust mine-removal capabilities in the region. The retirement of minesweepers from Bahrain and operational problems with their replacements have left a significant capability gap .
4. Has Iran acknowledged the mine problem?
Yes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the strait will remain open “with due consideration of technical limitations”—a phrase U.S. officials interpret as acknowledgment of the mine-clearing issue .
5. How will this affect the Islamabad peace talks?
The mine problem complicates the talks significantly. Even if a political agreement is reached, the physical process of clearing the strait could take weeks or months. President Trump has demanded “complete, immediate, and safe” reopening—but “immediate” may not be physically possible .
6. What is Iran’s proposed solution?
Iran has kept a narrow, toll-based corridor open through the strait and has proposed charging fees for passage. However, President Trump has rejected this approach, stating that “we’re not going to let that happen” and that the strait is international water .
7. Could Iran lay additional mines?
Iran still retains hundreds of small boats capable of laying additional mines or harassing vessels, despite U.S. strikes that have targeted Iranian naval bases and sunk several ships .
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