Iran is reported to have made critical measures that raise eyebrows regarding the possibility of interference in the Strait of Hormuz by the US intelligence sources.
In the past month, Iran military officials allegedly placed naval mines on their ships in the Persian Gulf, though they have not actually released the mines yet, a move which is an indicator of plans to block the shipping route.
These preparations according to the U.S intelligence took place following the missile strikes Israel carried out on Iran on June 13.
The context and time involved in the loading of the mine suggests the possibility of Tehran being serious of closing the Strait which would have devastating consequences to the supply of oil and gas to the world of which about 20% of the world energy sources pass through this Strait.
In spite of these tensions, the price of oil in the world market has fallen by more than 10 percent since the US launched attacks on the nuclear facilities of Iran, which indicates hope in the market that the situation did not deteriorate into the major disturbances.
After the US bombing campaign on the Iranian nuclear installations on June 22, Iran reportedly considered closing off the Strait, but no decisions have come through and fate rests with the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.
US authorities have reported that, satellite images and human intelligence were used to get the information, but they have not spelt out when and whether the mines had been detonated.
The speaker at the White House attributed the ability to keep the navigation open in the region to recent military operations and diplomatic activities.
The Pentagon and the Iranian officials at United Nations have not commented on these developments as yet.
