Iran warns it will mine the Persian Gulf to deter possible US ground invasion

March 24, 2026

TL;DR

Iran has threatened to seed the Persian Gulf with mines in response to potential US troop deployments and a ground incursion.
The country reportedly possesses over 5,000 sea mines, including types that are difficult to detect.
Laying naval mines would give Iran significant control over shipping lanes and raise the cost of any US-Israeli regime change attempt.
During the 1991 Gulf War, it took coalition forces nearly two months to clear around 1,000 mines deployed by Iraq.
The 'tanker war' in the 1980s saw extensive mine warfare between Iran and Iraq, resulting in numerous maritime casualties and ship losses.
A US military mission in 1987 to escort neutral shipping acted as a deterrent to mine-laying tactics.
Military analysts suggest that even thousands of US troops may be insufficient for a large-scale ground operation against Iran.
The political costs of a ground incursion could be devastating for the US President.

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