US Navy Says Iran Lays Mines in Strait of Hormuz to Control Shipping, Collect Tolls
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 7
US Navy Says Iran Lays Mines in Strait of Hormuz to Control Shipping, Collect Tolls
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 7
Summary
Admiral Daryl Caudle said Iran has laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz and is using them to push commercial vessels into sea lanes closer to its coast.
That strategy, the US Navy’s top officer said, would make it easier for Tehran to monitor traffic through the waterway and charge tolls on passing ships.
Caudle described the mines’ presence as certain — “there’s no chance they’re not there” — in an interview with Bloomberg This Weekend scheduled to air Sunday.
The allegation centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint between Iran and Oman where any effort to steer traffic could raise risks for global commerce.
Is Iran's 'tollbooth' in the Strait of Hormuz a new model for future maritime warfare?
Is the US Navy losing the underwater war against Iran's cheap and effective sea mines?
2026 Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Iran’s Control, Maritime Security, and Global Economic Fallout
Overview
In late February 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting Iran to retaliate with its own attacks and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then asserted control over this vital maritime chokepoint, leading to significant disruptions in global shipping and energy flows. By late June, vessel traffic through the Strait dropped sharply, with only 71 ships passing in a three-day period, far below normal levels. These disruptions have made the oil market tighter than OPEC+ production figures suggest, highlighting the ongoing impact of the crisis on global trade and energy security.