How minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz works: A visual guide
Clearing mines is a slow, high-risk operation that involves finding and destroying the explosives using specialised techniques. Last week, the United States and Iran signed
Clearing mines is a slow, high-risk operation that involves finding and destroying the explosives using specialised techniques. Last week, the United States and Iran signed a framework agreement aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Navigation through the strait, a global energy chokepoint, has picked up since then, but experts said it will take some time for shipping traffic to return to levels seen before the war began on February 28. Shipping companies and insurers have warned that the strait remains highly dangerous, largely because of fears of sea mines. The warnings follow threats made early in the conflict by Iran, which said various types of naval mines were at its disposal to block the passage of ships through the waterway. While Iran threatened to deploy naval mines, it did not comment on whether its forces had actually planted them. Tehran has used the strait as leverage in the talks with the US as its blockade triggered a global energy crisis. Under the agreement, Iran is required to clear any mines within 30 days as a condition for reopening the strait. France and the United Kingdom are leading the demining effort, backed by allies including Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. What are the different types of naval mines? Naval mines are underwater explosives designed to damage or sink ships.
They are relatively cheap to produce but costly to locate and remove. They are among the most effective weapons for disrupting shipping lanes and naval operations. A handful of mines can force vessels to reroute, driving up insurance costs and shutting down busy waterways. Naval mines come in different types, including Bottom mine These mines sit on the seabed, often in shallow coastal waters, straits or shipping channels. They detect a vessel’s magnetic, acoustic or pressure signature. When a ship passes overhead, the mine detonates beneath it, creating a powerful gas bubble that can damage the vessel. Bottom mines can be difficult to find and track because they can resemble rocks, debris or other objects on the seabed. Moored mine A moored mine is anchored to the seabed by a cable and floats just below the surface. These are the classic “spiked” naval mines seen in wartime photographs. They explode when a vessel makes contact or passes within range of proximity sensors. Because they float in the water rather than rest on the seabed, they can threaten ships while remaining difficult to spot from the surface. Drifting mine A drifting mine is not attached to the seabed and moves with currents and tides, making it the most unpredictable type of mine because its position constantly changes. A mine deployed in one location can travel significant distances, threatening commercial shipping far from the original conflict zone.
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