US says Iran mined Hormuz Strait, Tehran says 'no need' to do that
Iran has placed a number of underwater naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News reported citing US officials, while Iran's military says it is already controlling the strait and does not need to mine it.
The CBS report cited one official as saying there are at least a dozen mines deployed across the waterway, while another put the number at fewer than a dozen.
The US assessments cited by CBS says the mines include Iranian-made limpet mines Maham-3, a moored mine equipped with magnetic and acoustic sensors to detect nearby vessels, and the more advanced Maham-7, designed to evade sonar detection and can be deployed from ships or aircraft.
However, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the Islamic Republic has “full control and initiative” in the Persian Gulf and Oman waters and is managing the Strait of Hormuz “intelligently and powerfully.”
“With sufficient dominance and capability, there is no need for mining in the Persian Gulf,” Ebrahim Zolfaqari said. “We will use any means necessary to ensure security.”
