Iran has been unable to fulfil US demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz because it cannot locate all the sea mines its forces laid in the waterway, The New York Times reported on Saturday, April 11, citing American officials.
The technical failure has emerged as a major factor complicating the high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad between US and Iranian delegations. While US President Donald Trump recently expressed confidence that the strategic route would open “fairly soon,” officials suggest that Tehran’s “chaotic” mining operation last month has created a maritime hazard that even the Iranian military cannot easily resolve.
Iran began mining the strait shortly after the commencement of the US-Israeli “Operation Epic Fury.” Small boats were used to deploy the mines, but sources indicate that Tehran failed to record their exact locations. Strong currents in the strait have likely shifted the devices, making them nearly impossible to track.
“Sea mines are far easier to deploy than they are to neutralize,” a source told the publication, noting that even US minesweeping capabilities are limited, while Iran lacks the necessary resources for a rapid cleanup.
The blockade has paralyzed commercial traffic, sending global oil prices hovering near $100 a barrel. Previously, Iran had allowed limited passage only to vessels paying a toll, which sparked sharp condemnation from Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, currently in Pakistan for the talks, stated that the strait would be opened “subject to technical limitations.” US officials interpret this as an admission of the difficulties in locating and neutralizing the mines.
As Vice President JD Vance and Iranian negotiators continue their indirect talks in Islamabad, the safe restoration of movement through the Strait of Hormuz remains a central pillar of any potential peace agreement. However, experts warn that even if a political deal is reached, the physical clearing of the waterway could take weeks or even months.
The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, has already claimed over 2,000 lives and sent global oil prices hovering near $100 a barrel.