Iran’s Hormuz Strait Naval Mines Pose Long-Term Threat to Global Economy, Experts Warn

Iran’s deployment of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a critical threat to the global economy, with experts warning that even the mere presence of these devices can disrupt vital shipping lanes without a single explosion.

Following the US-Israeli military operation against Iran launched on February 28, 2026, Iranian forces have intensified mining activities in the strategic waterway, which normally handles one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

According to US Central Command, guided missile destroyers USS Frank E Peterson and USS Michael Murphy are conducting mine-clearing operations to establish a “safe pathway” for maritime traffic after Iran’s near-closure of the strait since the conflict began.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has released navigational maps directing vessels farther north toward the Iranian coast, away from traditional routes near Oman, citing “the likelihood of the presence of various types of anti-ship mines in the main traffic zone.”

Experts emphasize that naval mines pose a unique psychological threat to global trade, as operators assume wider risks that invalidate insurance coverage and effectively shut down use of the waterway, even without actual detonations.

Iran possesses an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 naval mines, many specifically designed for the Strait of Hormuz’s shallow waters where shipping lanes narrow to approximately two miles in width.

US intelligence assessments confirmed at least a dozen Iranian-made Maham 3 and Maham 7 limpet mines had been deployed in the waterway by March 23, 2026, with officials noting these were deployed via fast attack boats capable of carrying two or three mines at a time.

Analysts warn that attempts to reopen the strait through military action carry significant risks and may not succeed, potentially prolonging disruption to global energy markets and contributing to inflationary pressures worldwide.