WANA (May 31) – Despite several months having passed since the outbreak of the Ramadan War and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. armed forces remain uncertain about the presence of naval mines in the strategic waterway and have yet to reach a definitive conclusion.

 

U.S. media outlet NBC has unveiled another major challenge facing Washington regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Citing American officials, the network reported that “the United States armed forces have not yet confirmed whether Iran has actually mined the Strait of Hormuz.”

 

According to the report, extensive military searches utilizing advanced equipment—including unmanned vehicles—have “located a few objects that could be mines, but none have been definitively identified as such.”

 

For months, fears of mines planted in the Strait of Hormuz, combined with Iran’s comprehensive military surveillance, have prevented the United States from reopening the waterway by force.

 

Washington’s requests for assistance from European nations and NATO members went unanswered, ultimately leading Donald Trump to resort to a naval blockade. Nevertheless, he remains unable to open the Strait of Hormuz.

 

According to NBC, the uncertainty surrounding the presence or absence of mines in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified the “fog of war” for Washington.

 

In ongoing negotiations, Washington has demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and has called on Iran to clear the waterway of mines.

 

Currently, control of the Strait of Hormuz remains in Iran’s hands, and vessels are only permitted to transit the strait after obtaining authorization from Iranian authorities.