The escalation of tension between the United States and Iran has once again placed at the center of the military debate a type of weapon that is old, yet still strategic: naval mines.
The topic gained prominence after the American president, Donald Trump, stated that Iranian forces could be deploying explosives of this kind in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime routes for global oil trade.
The region is considered a critical point of the global energy system. About 20% of the oil traded on the planet passes daily through the strait, located between Iranian territory and the Arabian Peninsula.
Following the start of the conflict on February 28, Iran threatened to block the passage and attack vessels attempting to cross the region. The move reduced maritime traffic and pressured commodity prices, with the barrel approaching US$120 per barrel at the start of the week.
How naval mines work
Naval mines are explosives positioned in the sea aimed at hitting military or commercial vessels. They can remain submerged, attached to the seafloor, or anchored at certain depths, depending on the model. In some cases, they can also drift.
The simplest systems detonate when they come into direct contact with the hull of a ship. The more modern versions are equipped with sensors capable of detecting changes in the vessel’s magnetic field, changes in water pressure, or the noise of the engines.
When triggered, these mines cause explosions near the ship’s structure, potentially causing significant damage and compromising navigation.
Even if triggered against vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, experts point out that a single mine would be unlikely to sink a large oil tanker.
Nevertheless, the impact can cause significant structural damage, interrupt trade routes and generate substantial effects on the global energy market.
The use of this type of weapon is also regulated by international law. The Hague Convention of 1907 sets limits for the use of naval mines, prohibiting the installation of contact explosives near ports or coastal areas with the aim of blocking commercial navigation.
Iranian Arsenal
Estimates point to Iran possessing between 2,000 and 6,000 naval mines in its arsenal. According to analyses from the Strauss Center for International Security and Law, at the University of Texas, the country operates a mix of models of Soviet, Western origin and also domestically produced.
Among the more advanced equipment would be the EM-52 mine, of Chinese origin. Unlike conventional mines, this model remains on the seabed and fires a projectile toward the vessel when it detects its passage.
Despite the sophistication of the equipment, the study notes that Iran’s capacity to install mines of this type on a large scale is limited. The country would have only three submarines capable of launching the system. Therefore, in a conflict scenario, the most likely approach would be to use smaller vessels to spread simpler models.
Regional History
The Strait of Hormuz has previously been the scene of this type of military operation. During the final phase of the Iran-Iraq war, in the 1980s, naval mines were scattered in the region as part of a strategy to hit enemy vessels.
The memory of that episode helps explain the current concern of military powers with any sign of mining the waters of the region.
The tension rose after statements by President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social, the American leader demanded that Iran desist from installing mines on the maritime route or remove immediately any explosive placed in the region.
“If, for any reason, mines have been placed and are not removed immediately, the military consequences for Iran will be of unprecedented magnitude,” he stated.
Trump also said that the United States is monitoring the area and that vessels used to spread mines would be destroyed.
Soon after, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported having attacked several Iranian vessels on Tuesday. According to the statement, 16 boats that were being used to transport naval mines were struck.
On the eve, the American president had even stated that he was evaluating the possibility of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy Iran if the country interfered with oil transport through the region.
