Iran claimed to have laid naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US accused Tehran of modifying rocket systems to deploy sea mines, sparking a high-stakes confrontation in the strategic waterway.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly used rocket launchers to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that the US military says violates international maritime law and threatens global shipping. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, claimed the operation involved naval mines laid along the illicit routes south of the Strait of Hormuz,
according to a post on X. The US, meanwhile, has accused Iran of repurposing its Fajr-5 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) to fire mines into the waterway, a tactic that would mark a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing conflict.
Iran’s Alleged Mine Deployment Method
Iran’s alleged use of rocket systems to deploy sea mines represents a potential shift in its naval warfare strategy. According to France24, the US military stated that Iranian forces were preparing to launch rockets loaded with sea mines into the strait,
prompting a recent strike on Larak Island. The Fajr-5 MLRS, which Iran has tested since 2025, could theoretically be adapted for this purpose, though experts remain divided. Dirk Siebels, a maritime security specialist at Risk Intelligence, called the method “novel,” while Harlan Ullman, a former US Naval officer, argued that rocket-launched mines would likely be damaged upon impact with water.
Despite skepticism, some analysts acknowledge the strategic advantages of using rockets. Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) noted that rocket systems could “save time,” adding that using a boat requires loading the mines, assembling the crew, travelling to the site, and dropping the mines. With a rocket launcher, all you have to do is load and fire,
and that this would limit US detection capabilities. However, Mark Hilborne of King’s College London pointed out that rockets could carry fewer mines than boats, and their accuracy would be less precise than other methods.
US and Regional Reactions
The US has intensified its military presence in the region, maintaining 50,000 troops and 19 warships, including two aircraft carriers, to counter Iranian threats. A recent US strike on Larak Island targeted Iranian rocket launchers, according to reports, while CENTCOM claimed to have cleared all sea mines from the strait. However, Iran has consistently denied these assertions, with Zolfaghari mocking the US stance. The only thing CENTCOM could do in response was rename the Strait using Photoshop,
he wrote, referencing a previous Trump proposal to rename the waterway “Trump Strait.”
Kuwait’s military also reported engaging hostile missile and drone threats
from Iran, with the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces stating that explosions heard in the region were from air defense systems intercepting hostile targets.
Meanwhile, the Iranian state news agency IRIB claimed that US military bases in Kuwait were struck during the operation, though Iran has not confirmed this. The incident follows a months-long lull in direct fighting, which was broken by the US strike on Larak Island and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
Broader Implications and Uncertainties
The conflict has escalated tensions between the US and Iran, with President Donald Trump reportedly considering whether to declare the war over. A Wall Street Journal report revealed that Trump has privately discussed ending the conflict, though the Pentagon continues to extend troop deployments, suggesting the war could drag well into next year.
The US has also launched Operation Economic Outcast, targeting Iran’s oil, shipping, and digital asset sectors, as part of a broader strategy to apply economic pressure.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of threatening regional stability. Iran’s ability to deploy mines via rockets, if confirmed, would mark a significant tactical advancement, while the US’s military response underscores its commitment to protecting global shipping lanes. However, the exact number of mines laid, the effectiveness of the rocket system, and the true extent of Iran’s capabilities remain unclear. As the conflict continues, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz—and the potential for further escalation—remains a critical focus for international observers.
