The Pentagon has notified the US Congress that it may require up to six months to completely remove Iranian military mines from the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that the task is unlikely to be accomplished until the conflict concludes, according to the Washington Post. Meanwhile, social media posts are circulating alleging that Iran is continuing to lay additional mines in the area.
Several social media users have shared claims that satellite imagery depicts Iranian gunboats moving towards Iranian coastlines after departing from the center of the Strait of Hormuz to deploy mines. The authenticity of these images has not been independently confirmed by the Mirror.
A different social media user expressed a belief that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is actively laying mines in the transit channel of the Hormuz Strait using numerous speedboats.
Tensions have escalated between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Following joint strikes on critical Iranian facilities by the US and Israel since February 28, Iran responded by blocking the trade route, which serves as a passage for 20% of global oil trade.
In an effort to influence negotiations, the US has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports within the Strait of Hormuz to impact the Iranian economy and push for the reopening of the trade route.
Iran has faced accusations of placing mines in the strait, posing a threat to maritime traffic and causing disruptions to the global economy.