Tehran, Iran – Iran has hinted at the possibility of activating its so-called “maritime deterrence” options, primarily naval mine warfare, should US military threats escalate, referring to what military literature describes as the “silent killer” in maritime conflicts.
The Iranian news agency Fars reported on Saturday that increased US military activity in West Asia has led to
a strengthened naval presence in the waters surrounding Iran’s southern border.
Consequently, these developments have prompted strategic assessments to discuss
the possibility of Tehran activating its naval deterrent capabilities if military tensions escalate.
The agency explained that one of the scenarios under consideration involves utilizing
its naval mine-laying capabilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
It also asserted that this tool is among the most effective means of imposing operational restrictions on hostile fleets.
She added that a review of the evolution of Iran’s naval defense structure over the past years reveals
that mine warfare has been incorporated as a core element of its deterrence strategy.
This strategy focuses on increasing the operational costs for attacking forces
and restricting their freedom of maneuver. Furthermore, it aims to create uncertainty in the operational environment.
According to the agency, naval mines are characterized by their low operational costs compared to heavy weapons systems.
In addition, they have a high capacity to disrupt shipping lanes and vessel traffic, making them a pivotal tool in asymmetric defense doctrines.
She noted that the strategic deployment of mines in restricted shipping lanes could present attacking fleets
with significant operational challenges in the event of a military confrontation.
