Iran's Defence Council declared on Monday that any attack on its southern coast or islands, including Kharg Island, would trigger the mining of all Gulf shipping routes. The statement, reported by state media, warned of floating mines deployed from coastal areas, effectively closing the Gulf for an extended period. 💥
US Pressure Over Hormuz Access
This comes amid reports that the US is considering occupying or blockading Kharg Island—Iran's primary oil export hub—to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. According to Axios, the move aims to address global shipping disruptions caused by Iran's current restrictions. 🛳️
Historical Precedent Raises Stakes
The Council referenced the 1980s, when over 100 minesweepers failed to clear a small number of sea mines, hinting at the potential long-term chaos. Non-belligerent states, it added, must coordinate with Iran to navigate the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for 20% of the world's oil trade. ⚠️
Satellite imagery from February 2026 shows Kharg Island, responsible for most of Iran's oil exports, as tensions escalate.
