US forces identified at least 10 mines planted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing US officials with knowledge of the matter.
The mines were discovered following a recent US intelligence assessment.
A previous CBS report from March said there were at least a dozen underwater mines in the Strait, according to US intelligence reports.
Officials had said the mines were Maham 3 and Maham 7 Limpet mines, both manufactured in Iran, CBS reported.
The Maham 3 is a “moored naval mine that uses magnetic and acoustic sensors to detect nearby vessels without physical contact,” explained the report. It analyzes movement to determine the best time to activate, holding the capacity to engage targets within 10 feet.
The Maham 7, on the other hand, is known as a “sticking mine,” explained CBS. It is designed to rest on the seabed and relies on a combination of acoustic and three-axis magnetic sensors to detect nearby vessels. This mine targets medium-sized ships, landing craft, and smaller submarines.
The latest US assessments didn’t reveal the type of mines recently discovered, the report added.
Safe route for commercial ships
The US Navy has spent weeks clearing mines from a route in the Strait of Hormuz meant for the safe passage of commercial ships.
The US warned that transiting the normal route could be “extremely hazardous” due to mines laid by Tehran, added CBS.
Iran announced this week that it is working with Oman to create a joint “mechanism” to control traffic through the Strait, said the report.