US intel: Iran taking steps to deploy mines in Strait of Hormuz

US intelligence has started seeing indications that Iran is taking steps to deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News reported citing US officials. The development — if carried out — would represent a major escalation beyond Iran's existing anti-ship missile threat. Naval mines would make the Strait impassable even to US Navy-escorted convoys without dedicated mine-clearance operations, and would pose catastrophic risk to commercial shipping. IRGC Navy mine-laying capability is well-documented: Iran tested Hormuz mining scenarios in multiple exercises. Their arsenal includes moored contact mines, bottom mines (CAPTOR-type), and influence mines. The US Navy maintains mine countermeasure vessels (MCM) in the Fifth Fleet, but clearing a mined strait at scale would take weeks. The intelligence reporting suggests Iran is considering or preparing this option — but has not yet deployed. The disclosure comes hours after Energy Secretary Wright's false tweet about a US Navy Hormuz escort was deleted — suggesting the US may have been trying to signal Hormuz is open before Iran can close it definitively with mines.