U.S. Officials Warn Iran May Mine Strait of Hormuz if Washington Backs Israeli Strikes

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By Staff Writer with Agencies International Desk | June 18, 2025

As tensions soar in the Middle East, U.S. intelligence officials are warning that Iran may move to mine the critical Strait of Hormuz if American forces join Israel’s intensifying military campaign against Tehran. The move, they say, could trap U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf and spark a wider regional war.

According to classified intelligence reviewed by the Trump administration and reported by The New York Times on Tuesday, Iran is prepared to launch asymmetric attacks that include laying naval mines in the narrow strait, through which nearly a third of the world’s seaborne oil passes daily.

“In the event of an attack, Iran could begin to mine the Strait of Hormuz, a tactic meant to pin American warships in the Persian Gulf,” one U.S. official confirmed.

The report underscores growing concerns that Washington’s potential support for Israeli operations — especially any strike targeting Iran’s underground Fordo nuclear facility — could provoke Tehran into confrontation.

Missiles Ready, Forces on Alert

Pentagon sources say Iran’s missile arsenal is already positioned to strike U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. “No additional preparation is needed,” one defense official noted.

In response, American commanders have placed over 40,000 troops stationed across the Middle East — including in Jordan and Saudi Arabia — on high alert. Military reinforcements and naval assets, including air defense systems, have been repositioned in anticipation of a possible escalation.

Iran Issues Warning

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern message on Monday, stating that any attack would be met with swift and decisive retaliation.

“Our enemies should know that they cannot reach a solution with military attacks on us and will not be able to force their will on the Iranian people,” Araghchi said.

He added that the U.S. and Israel would bear full responsibility for any escalation across the region.

Bunker-Buster Bombs Considered

While President Trump has stated publicly that the U.S. will not directly join Israel’s campaign, discussions are underway in Washington about the potential deployment of B-2 stealth bombers equipped with 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs. These weapons could target Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear facilities, such as Fordo, which lies deep within a mountain.

Such involvement would mark a major shift in the conflict and could trigger Iranian counterstrikes across the region — and potentially beyond.

Experts Urge Restraint

National security experts are urging the White House to avoid direct military engagement, warning of dire consequences.

“It is never too late not to start a war,” said Rosemary Kelanic, a defense analyst with the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities. “A U.S. strike would dramatically increase Iran’s incentive to build a nuclear weapon rather than discourage it.”

The Strait of Hormuz, only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, has long been seen as a potential flashpoint. Iran has threatened to close the Strait before during times of crisis, and the U.S. Navy has historically kept a close watch on the area to ensure free navigation.

Outlook Uncertain

As Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, including recent raids on Tehran’s centrifuge production facilities, the stakes are climbing.

The question now is not just whether Israel can dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but whether the United States can avoid being drawn into another protracted conflict in the Middle East.