U.S. Intelligence Finds at Least 10 Mines in Strait of Hormuz

Washington — U.S. forces have identified at least 10 mines in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a recent American intelligence assessment.

U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter told CBS News that the assessment is current. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive national security issues.

CBS News reported in March that American intelligence had found at least a dozen underwater mines in the strait at that time. Officials said the mines Iran has placed there include the Maham 3 and Maham 7 Limpet mines. Another U.S. official estimated the total at less than a dozen.

The Maham 3 is a moored naval mine that uses magnetic and acoustic sensors to detect ships without contact. It can engage targets within about 10 feet and analyzes movement to choose the best moment to detonate.

The Maham 7 rests on the seabed and uses acoustic and three-axis magnetic sensors to find nearby vessels. It is designed to target medium-sized ships, landing craft and smaller submarines.

CBS News could not determine the type of mines in the latest assessment. Earlier this month, the U.S. military began directing commercial ships to a route in the strait farther from Iran that the Navy has spent weeks clearing of mines.

The U.S. warned that the normal route could be extremely hazardous because of mines Iran laid in the strait. The Pentagon displayed a graphic this month saying Iran placed new mines there on April 23.

The strait remains a point of tension between Washington and Tehran. Before the conflict, about 20% of global oil passed through the waterway, roughly 15 million barrels of crude per day, along with liquefied natural gas shipments. The average price of a gallon of gasoline nationwide is now $4.50, up more than $1.50 since the war began, according to AAA.

Iran said this week that it is working with Oman to create a joint mechanism to control traffic through the strait.