On Monday, Iran issued a stern warning that it would deploy naval mines throughout the Persian Gulf should the United States or Israel launch attacks on its coastal areas or islands. This declaration, made by Iran’s defence council, signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict that has gripped the region since February 28, 2025. The council emphasized that any hostile action against Iranian shores would trigger the laying of various types of naval mines, including drifting mines that can be deployed directly from the coastline, effectively blocking access routes and communication lines in the strategically vital waters.
The defence council, which operates under the umbrella of the Supreme National Security Council, was established following the intense 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025. This body has since taken a central role in coordinating Iran’s military responses and strategic planning amid the escalating hostilities. The recent threat to mine the Gulf comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions, with Iran previously releasing maps highlighting power plants across the region as potential targets. This move was in direct response to an ultimatum issued by then-US President Donald Trump, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial maritime chokepoint—within 48 hours.
Trump’s ultimatum carried a chilling warning that failure to comply would result in the obliteration of Iran’s power plants. The deadline, set to expire late Monday, underscored the urgency and gravity of the situation. Since the outbreak of the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed, severely disrupting global oil and gas shipments. Iran’s armed forces have vowed to maintain this closure and have threatened to target power infrastructure not only in Israel but also in Gulf countries perceived as supporting US military presence in the region.
State media outlets, including the judiciary-affiliated Mizan Online and Mehr News Agency, have published detailed infographics illustrating potential targets. These include Israel’s largest power plants, Orot Rabin and Rutenberg, as well as critical energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait. One striking graphic bore the ominous title “Say goodbye to electricity!” and warned that any attack on Iran’s electrical infrastructure would plunge the entire region into darkness. Adding to the rhetoric, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the influential speaker of Iran’s parliament, vowed to “irreversibly” destroy vital infrastructure across the Middle East should the US or Israel initiate attacks on Iranian territory.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had profound implications for global energy markets. Normally, about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this narrow waterway. However, since the conflict began, maritime traffic has plummeted to roughly five percent of its pre-war volume, analytics firm Kpler. Iranian forces have intercepted and attacked several vessels, accusing them of ignoring warnings against transiting the strait. While Iran has allowed limited passage to ships from allied nations, it has explicitly threatened to block vessels from countries it accuses of participating in the “aggression” against it.
The ongoing conflict has also sparked warnings from international energy authorities. Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), cautioned that the world is facing an energy crisis surpassing the combined impact of the 1970s oil shocks. Birol highlighted that the current situation amounts to “two oil crises and one gas crash all rolled into one,” with no country likely to escape the fallout if the conflict persists. He noted that at least 40 energy assets across the oil- and gas-exporting region have suffered severe damage, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel amid fears of supply disruptions.
Meanwhile, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Israel has intensified its military campaign, launching fresh strikes on Tehran and expanding ground operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. The violence in Lebanon has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and displaced more than a million people, the Lebanese health ministry. Israeli forces have targeted strategic infrastructure, including bridges used by Hezbollah to cross the Litani River, in what Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described as a “dangerous escalation” and a possible prelude to a broader ground invasion.
On the Israeli home front, missile attacks from Iran have breached the country’s air defenses, striking southern towns near the Dimona nuclear facility and causing dozens of injuries. Residents expressed shock at the attacks, which represent a significant breach of Israel’s typically robust air defense systems. Iran claims these strikes are retaliatory measures following an alleged Israeli attack on its nuclear site at Natanz, though Israeli officials have neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
The human toll of the conflict is mounting. In Iran alone, over 3,230 people have reportedly died, including more than 1,400 civilians, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Access to strike sites remains restricted, making independent verification difficult. As the conflict continues to spiral, the global community watches with growing concern over the potential for further escalation and the far-reaching consequences for regional stability and the global economy.
