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It's interesting that its happening now. Not earlier in the conflict when they still had centralized command, but also not waiting until their drone threat is gone. Reports were that some countries like India were paying their toll, so I thought their "selective closure" strategy was working. Mines seem likely to just block off everyone from the Strait, which throws away their last bit of negotiation leverage and cripples their economy.
Possibly this is a desparate, last ditch effort from a group that's losing control, running out of missiles, and scared that more countries might show up to send escort ships.
Markets seem.... up on this news? That's odd.
I don’t think mines block off everyone. They’re usually designed to anchor in place and wall off specific areas. You leave a few safe paths and either guard the secret (hard to do vs. the U.S.!) or concentrate your firepower in those spots.
Obviously, not everything works perfectly, which is why they’re feared and hated…
It seems like this wouldn't work well in the strait of hormuz, where the deep shipping channels are so narrow (just 2 miles wide, one each way). Unless they're making some sort of bullet hell maze with the correct path only known to their friendly ships lol. I guess they could drop mines in other part of the Gulf and leave the Strait alone, but Im not sure what that accomplishes. I guess we'll find out. UK says it's going to send mine hunters
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It's old news. I'm not sure why it's being re-reported now. It's obviously in Iran's interests to have people believe it mined the straits and the only way through is the safe corridor hugging the Iranian coastline.
If it's true, I suspect it won't be much of a problem once the Marines arrive. The US and Israel have almost certainly had continuous observation of the strait since the war began, and likely know the locations of any potential mines.
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