Iran: Will Deploy Mines to "Blockade" the Persian Gulf if Islands Are Attacked
Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, March 23 - According to a report from the Iranian Fars News Agency on the 23rd, the Iranian Defense Council issued a statement that if the enemy attacks Iran's coasts or islands, Iran will immediately deploy various types of naval mines in all waterways of the Persian Gulf, effectively "blocking" the entire Persian Gulf.
The statement said: "Any attempt by the enemy to attack Iran's coasts or islands will, according to established military practices, naturally lead to the laying of mines in all waterways and along the coasts of the Persian Gulf, including drifting mines that can be deployed from the shore."
The statement noted that at that time, the entire Persian Gulf would be in a state similar to the current blockage of the Strait of Hormuz for a considerable period. "Thus, not only the Strait of Hormuz but the entire Persian Gulf will effectively be blocked. All consequences arising from this will be borne by the party that initiated the threat."
The statement also mentioned that for non-belligerent countries, "the only way to transit through the Strait of Hormuz is to coordinate with Iran."
The Iranian Defense Council reiterated in the statement that if the United States attacks Iran's power plants, Iran will retaliate by striking the power plants of Israel and those of regional countries that supply power to U.S. military bases.
Earlier, media reports indicated that the U.S. might launch ground military operations against Iran's Hark Island. Hark Island is Iran's largest crude oil export base, with 90% of Iran's crude oil exported from here.
Iran will deploy various types of naval mines in the Persian Gulf to block all shipping lanes if attacked by enemies. The Iranian Defense Council stated that any attack on Iranian shores or islands will lead to this action, resulting in a blockade similar to the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Hark Island, a key oil export base, is highlighted as a critical location for Iran's oil exports.
- Iran will deploy naval mines in the Persian Gulf if attacked.
- The entire Persian Gulf will be blocked as a consequence of any attack on Iranian territory.
- Hark Island is Iran's largest oil export base, with 90% of its oil exports originating from there.
- Iran warns that any attack will lead to consequences borne by the aggressor.
- Coordination with Iran is required for non-belligerent nations to transit the Strait of Hormuz.