Iran has reportedly deployed about a dozen naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns about the safety of global oil and gas shipments passing through the strategic waterway.

Two sources familiar with the development said the mines were placed in the strait in recent days, a move that could make it harder to reopen the critical shipping route. The Strait of Hormuz, located along Iran’s southern coast, is one of the world’s most important channels for transporting crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Oil and LNG exports through the passage have largely stopped since fighting involving the United States, Israel and Iran began nearly two weeks ago. The disruption has already pushed global energy prices higher.
One of the sources said US officials are aware of the locations of most of the mines but did not disclose how Washington plans to address the threat.

Iran has long warned that it could block shipping through the strait in response to military pressure. The waterway handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG shipments, giving Tehran the ability to significantly affect global energy markets.
Iran’s military command also warned that oil prices could rise to around $200 per barrel as tensions continue to escalate.

Meanwhile, the United States military said it targeted Iranian vessels believed to be involved in mine-laying operations earlier this week, destroying 16 of them. However, the US Navy has not yet started escorting commercial ships through the strait.
US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran remove the mines immediately, warning that the country could face military consequences if it fails to comply.