Iran is facing a growing challenge in reopening the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, as it struggles to locate and remove naval mines it deployed during last month’s conflict, according to a report by The New York Times citing US officials.The issue dates back to early March, when tensions escalated following military action by the United States and Israel against Iran.In response, Tehran began laying naval mines across the vital shipping lane using small boats.However, US officials noted that even at the time, the mining operation appeared “neither fast nor efficient,” raising early concerns about how well it was being executed and tracked.Before any mines were actually placed, the Strait had already become unstable. On March 2, a senior official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps declared the waterway effectively closed, warning that any vessel entering could be set “ablaze,” according to Iranian state media. The statement alone was enough to rattle global shipping markets, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices and creating uncertainty among maritime operators.Once the mines were deployed, the disruption intensified. Tanker traffic through the Strait dropped significantly, as shipowners weighed the risks of mines, alongside the threat of Iranian drone and missile strikes. This combination of dangers gave Iran considerable leverage during the conflict, allowing it to exert pressure on global energy flows and international stakeholders.However, the tactic has since backfired. According to The New York Times, US officials now say Iran may not have accurate records of where all the mines were laid. In some cases, mines could have drifted from their original positions due to currents, further complicating efforts to locate and remove them. The mines were reportedly deployed in a scattered and “haphazard” manner, making systematic clearance extremely difficult.Iran has attempted to partially manage the situation by leaving a narrow corridor open for maritime traffic. Ships willing to navigate the risks—and in some cases pay a toll—have been allowed to pass through designated routes.The Revolutionary Guards have issued warnings about the mine zones, while semiofficial Iranian media outlets have published maps indicating relatively safer passages. Still, these routes remain limited and far from restoring normal shipping operations.The inability to quickly secure the Strait has also affected diplomatic dynamics. US President Donald Trump recently tied the possibility of a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict to the “complete, immediate, and safe” reopening of the waterway. This demand has placed additional pressure on Tehran, which appears constrained by its own earlier actions.Iranian officials have indirectly acknowledged the problem. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that reopening the Strait would occur “with due consideration of technical limitations,” a phrase that US officials interpret as recognition of the mine-clearing difficulties.The complexity of removing naval mines is a key factor. As The New York Times notes, even advanced militaries such as that of the United States rely on specialised vessels and technologies for mine countermeasures. Despite its capabilities, the US does not maintain large-scale mine-clearing resources, highlighting how challenging such operations can be. Iran, with more limited technology and equipment, is even less equipped to conduct rapid clearance.Further complicating the situation, recent US strikes have damaged Iranian naval infrastructure and destroyed several vessels. Nevertheless, Iran still possesses hundreds of small boats capable of laying additional mines or harassing ships. These vessels are difficult to track and were likely used during the initial mining campaign, contributing to the uncertainty about the total number and location of mines.As a result, neither Iran nor US officials have a clear picture of how many mines remain in the Strait or where they are positioned. This uncertainty continues to pose a serious risk to global shipping and delays any full reopening of one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.