By Dharmesh Prajapati
Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked Amid Naval Mine Concerns
US officials say Iran is struggling to reopen the Strait of Hormuz due to uncertainty over the location of naval mines and its inability to clear them effectively. President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that any two-week ceasefire would depend on the “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the strategic waterway.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has cautioned vessels about the risk of hitting mines, while local media has suggested limited safe passage routes. However, officials note that the mines were laid in a disorganized manner, raising doubts about whether Iran kept accurate records. Even where records exist, mines may have shifted over time, complicating clearance efforts.
Mines and Military Pressure
Reports indicate that Iran deployed small boats to lay mines last month, shortly after US and Israeli military operations began. The combination of mines and the threat of Iranian drones and missiles sharply reduced tanker and commercial traffic, driving up global energy prices and giving Tehran leverage during the conflict.
Although Iran maintained a narrow corridor for passage, ships were reportedly required to pay a toll to cross, according to the New York Times.
Diplomatic Efforts in Islamabad
As tensions mount, diplomatic talks have opened in Islamabad. A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan to meet Iranian officials, aiming to reinforce the fragile ceasefire and explore a path toward resolution. This marks the first direct meeting since the war began over a month ago.
Iran’s delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, insisted that negotiations would only proceed if Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon and released frozen Iranian assets. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue along Lebanon’s southern border, complicating the talks.
Earlier, Trump publicly wished Vance success in the negotiations, remarking, “We’ll find out what’s going on. They’re militarily defeated.”