Iran is reportedly struggling to reopen the Strait of Hormuz due to its own sea mines.
According to reports citing US officials, Iran cannot locate all the mines it deployed and also lacks the capability to clear them quickly.
This creates a serious problem:
• Parts of the waterway may still be dangerous for ships
• Safe navigation cannot be guaranteed
• Even Iran itself cannot fully control the situation
The result is a near standstill in traffic, with shipping already far below normal levels and hundreds of vessels waiting.
This changes the narrative completely.
It’s not just geopolitics anymore, it’s also a technical and operational crisis.
Even if Iran wants to reopen the route, it may not be able to do so quickly.