The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is the last thing the world needs as the shadow of war continues to loom over the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz is a maritime "choke point" through which about 20% of the world’s daily oil consumption—around 18 million barrels—passes. At its narrowest, the strait is only about 33 km (21 miles) wide. If the United States decides to militarily join Israel’s assault on Tehran, the Islamic Republic may respond by shutting down the strait, which lies between Oman and Iran and serves as the primary export route for Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait.
Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Oil giants will not risk their frigates being torn apart by Iranian mines and may pressure Tehran’s rivals to soften their stance.
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Exporters have already suggested shifting cargo movement from the Bandar Abbas port to the Chabahar port in the wake of conflict. An official also stated that air freight rates have already risen by 15 percent, and traders expect both air and sea freight costs to increase further if the conflict escalates.
But how do sea mines work? While battlefields are dug to plant "landmines," how do "naval mines" become part of warfare? If the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy decides to shut the Strait of Hormuz to vessel movement, how can they do it? What are the different types of naval mines, and how are they planted? Find out here.
Limpets Mines:
Limpets are a type of shellfish that stick to rocks and grip their surfaces so adamantly that they’re hard to pry off. Their conical shells are tough enough to protect them from waves or predators as they cling onto the surfaces.
The name gives away the nature of these explosives. They are named after these marine creatures because they are stuck to the bottom (hull) of targets. Once placed, magnets ensure they stay intact until the time on detonation.
They are manually carried and placed on the vulnerable parts of a ship/vessel by divers. When attached, the fuzes of these mines are triggered after a time delay, allowing the divers enough time to get to safety. Some modern models are incorporate a anti-removal fuze that will explode if attempts to remove the mines are made.
Limpet mines are filled with limited explosive power, as they are not intended to sink a ship. Their primary objective is to immobilize an enemy vessel, rendering it no longer usable in action.
Influence Mines:
These mines are designed to be triggered by specific stimuli generated by the presence of a target. Influence mines that react to the noise produced by ship propellers are generally called "acoustic mines," while those capable of responding to changes in the magnetic field caused by metal hulls are called "magnetic mines."
Moored Mines:
A moored mine, often referred to as Naval Mines, are anchored to the seabed at a predetermined depth but float. They are designed to detonate upon contact, they are particularly effective in chokepoints (like the Strait of Hormuz) harbors, and coastal waters, where presence of mines could further complicates navigation for the enemy.
The seabed anchoring ensures that they remain fixed in place before incoming ships, making bypassing difficult in narrow waters. Apart from contact fuzes, moored mines are also equipped with sophisticated influence fuzes that, according to military documents, "may be sensitive to pressure, magnetic fields, or acoustic signatures, enabling them to adapt to diverse vessel types and sizes."
Bottom Mines:
Like the name indicates, these explosives are laid on the seafloor. They can sense the presence of a ship above them with the help of sensors -- causing a deadly blast.
The sensors that enable bottom mines to detect the presence of ships overhead can be seismic, acoustic, magnetic, or pressure-dependent. Remote-triggered bottom mines with stealth features are also available to the naval forces of some countries, reports point out. These giants usually contain between 125 and 1,400 kg of high explosives—vastly more than floating types possess—as they are designed to incapacitate mobile ships several feet above them on the surface.
How can Iran deploy mines to block Strait of Hormuz?
Iran is one of many countries in the world that manufactures mines domestically, although its advanced variants are sourced from Russia, China, and North Korea. In the pre-COVID 21st century, the Islamic Republic's arsenal was believed to be stocked with two to five thousand mines, according to the Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC), a U.S. think tank. From drifting mines to moored and bottom mines, Iran's inventory is both massive and modern. The country also claims to possess nonmagnetic mines, which are more difficult for enemy mine-sweeping operations to detect.
According to a 2017 report, Tehran's Kilo-class submarines are capable of laying up to 24 mines per sortie. The regime also possesses midget submarines—the Ghadir and Nahang classes—which can lay between 8 and 16 mines per sortie. Eight years down the line, their capabilities—like their arsenal—could only have grown. The Navy's amphibious and logistics vessels can also assist in deploying explosives in the Strait, as small boats could be mistaken for commercial or civilian craft by its enemies.