Security
Maritime threat: How Iran's naval mines could collapse the regional economy
Iran's naval mines pose a significant maritime threat, endangering critical shipping routes and destabilizing the regional economy.
![A person points to a screen showing commercial vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast on March 4, 2026. [Julien De Rosa/AFP]](/gc1/images/2026/03/13/55025-afp-600_384.webp)
By Al-Fassel |
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel just 33 kilometers wide at its tightest point, serves as one of the world's most critical energy arteries.
Each day, about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports navigate this passage, making it a cornerstone of international economic stability.
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, made explicit threats to blockade the vital waterway.
These actions cast a dark shadow over the regional economy, which includes Iran's own economic stability.
Nonetheless, US Central Command is actively countering these threats by eliminating stockpiles of Iranian naval mines, minelayers and naval assists.
The economic impact of a blockade
Iran's estimated arsenal of over 5,000 naval mines could be deployed to shut down the narrow shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz.
It has built asymmetric naval capabilities such as fast-attack boats, sea mines and coastal missile batteries specifically to disrupt shipping in the narrow waterway.
Large vessels, including oil tankers, are forced to navigate through Iranian territorial waters, making them vulnerable to Iran's hostile action.
Naval mines, missile strikes and advanced GPS jamming are tactics Iran may use to enforce a blockade.
Ironically, such a move would also be catastrophic for Iran's own diplomatic and economic interests.
The Iranian economy is heavily dependent on its oil and gas exports, the vast majority of which are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.
A closure would not only halt this vital revenue stream but also effectively paralyze its broader foreign trade.
Despite these deterrents, evidence suggests that Iranian leadership has contemplated this drastic measure.
Reports indicate Iran is loading naval mines onto vessels, reflecting its historical use of threats to close the strait for political leverage.
Such preparations signal an intention to inflict economic strain on its neighbors including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
These developments underscore the urgency of mitigating Iran's destabilizing tactics to protect the global economy and Middle Eastern stability.
Iran poses a grave threat to Islamic nations
I would be happy if Israel were wiped off the face of the earth, leaving no trace of it on this pure land, which would disavow their impurity and tyranny if Allah would allow it to speak!
I didn't like this article. I want to strike Iran because, first of all, it is an aggressor against the Gulf countries and against ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
How do we proceed? What should we do with this world? How do we confront Iran, the enemy of peace? We want to rally everyone against Iran.
I agree with this opinion.
Iran has the right to strike against any threat facing the Arab world. What has brought America here? Israel is an occupying force. We stand united with Iran; the actions Iran is taking represent a popular Arab and Islamic demand to counter American hegemony in the Middle East.
Everyone wants to loot and tear apart the Middle East; Iran is nothing but a pretext for destroying Arab countries and expanding the Jewish state.
That’s the bottom line—no more, no less.
But the people remain silent, and they won't wake up until they’ve been destroyed, just like Gaza. By then, regret will be of no use.
Correct
The American presence is the cause of instability.
Iran is the cause of the current tension in the region, along with its proxies in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.
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Exactly, it poses a threat to the regional economy.