The US has confirmed that Iran has installed naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. According to The Wall Street Journal, on Wednesday, US officials stated that approximately ten mines were installed in the narrow waterway, through which about 20% of the world's oil exports pass.

Iran has naval mines in its arsenal that can operate at very shallow depths - floating just 90 centimeters underwater, anchoring themselves on the seabed at depths of up to 50 meters, and detonating upon contact with a passing ship. The power of the warhead of most of them ranges from 50 to 120 kg of explosives.

As a rule, such mines are installed with the help of divers on small boats, often disguised as fishing vessels, which makes operations to detect and destroy them extremely difficult.

The main goal here is not so much to sink ships as to disrupt global shipping after a couple of destroyed tankers or gas carriers. Even the mere threat of mines can already stop the movement of tankers through the strait.

Historically, naval mines have caused more damage to US Navy ships than any other weapon since the Second World War. This is their paradox: one of the cheapest means of armament can cause some of the most costly consequences for global trade and military logistics.

Source -> https://t.me/Slavyangrad/158456