Iran Defence Council threatens to mine entire Persian Gulf if coasts or islands attacked — 'floating mines from the coasts'

Iran's Defence Council issued a statement on Day 24 threatening to mine the entire Persian Gulf in the event of any attack on Iranian coasts or islands. **Full statement (via Fars news agency):** 'Any attempt by the enemy to attack Iranian coasts or islands will naturally, and in accordance with common military practice, cause all access routes and communication lines in the Persian Gulf and the coasts to be mined with various types of naval mines, including floating mines that can be released from the coasts.' 'In that case, the entire Persian Gulf will practically find a situation similar to the strait of Hormuz for a long time. This time, along with the strait of Hormuz, the entire Persian Gulf will be practically blocked, and the responsibility for it will lie with the threatening party.' **Strategic context:** This represents a significant escalation beyond the Hormuz partial closure already in force. Iran is now threatening: 1. Full Hormuz closure (already threatened in prior IRGC statements) 2. Mining of the ENTIRE Persian Gulf — a 250,000 km² body of water carrying ~30% of global seaborne oil **Trigger:** The threat is explicitly conditioned on attacks on Iranian coasts or islands. This appears directly aimed at US plans (reported by Axios) to occupy or blockade Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub (~95% of Iran's oil exports). A Kharg Island operation would constitute exactly the type of 'island attack' Iran is threatening to respond to. **IRGC mine capability:** Iran has been laying mines in Hormuz since early March (confirmed by NYT, March 12). The Defence Council statement suggests Iran has pre-positioned mining assets along its entire Gulf coastline, capable of deploying floating mines rapidly. **Exceptions:** Iran continues to permit passage for ships from China, India, Pakistan and other 'friendly' countries.