Iran has issued a fresh warning that it could deploy naval mines across key waterways in the Persian Gulf if its coastal territories or islands come under attack from the United States or Israel.
In a statement released on Monday and carried by state media, Iran’s defence council said any military strike on its territory would trigger a sweeping response targeting vital maritime routes in the region.
“Any attempt by the enemy to attack Iranian coasts or islands will naturally… lead to all access routes and communication lines in the Persian Gulf and coastal areas being mined with various types of naval mines, including drifting mines deployable from the coasts,” the council stated.
The warning underscores rising tensions in the Gulf, a critical global energy corridor, where any disruption to shipping lanes could have far-reaching economic and security implications.
The defence council, which operates under Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was established following the country’s 12-day conflict with Israel in June 2025. The body is tasked with coordinating strategic military responses and safeguarding Iran’s territorial integrity.
Analysts say the latest threat signals Tehran’s readiness to escalate defensive measures in the event of external aggression, raising concerns about potential instability in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
