Iran Struggles to Open Hormuz Strait after Missing Mines

JAKARTA - Iran has not been able to fully reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz because it has not been able to find all the sea mines that have been installed and does not have the ability to remove them, according to a New York Times report published Friday (10/4).

Citing US officials, the report said the situation had limited Iran's ability to allow more ship traffic through the waterway, despite calls from the US government to ensure the route was safe.

Citing Antara, Iran installed the mines last month using small boats after the outbreak of a war involving the US and Israel, significantly reducing tanker traffic and contributing to a rise in global energy prices.

Although Tehran has kept the narrow corridor open for ships willing to pay tolls, US officials say the safe route remains limited, partly because some mines may have drifted or been recorded incorrectly when installed.

The report notes that removing sea mines is much more difficult than installing them, and neither Iran nor the US has the ability to clear mines quickly and adequately.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait would remain open "taking into account technical limitations," a statement interpreted by US officials as referring to difficulties in finding and clearing mines.

The issue is expected to be part of ongoing talks in Pakistan between Iranian officials and a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, as Washington has pushed for the reopening of the strait "fully, immediately, and safely."