Strait of Hormuz closed 'because Iran can't find mines it laid in shipping channel', claims US

Strait of Hormuz closed 'because Iran placed mines in shipping channel', claims US'Haphazardly' laid mines leaves tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuza vulnerable to being blown up, US officials have said as talks between the US and Iran are underwayCommentsNewsBenjamin Lynch News Reporter22:41, 11 Apr 2026Updated 22:46, 11 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesThe Strait of Hormuz has become a sore point in negotiations between the US and Iran(Image: Getty Images)The Strait of Hormuz remains closed because Iran "haphazardly" laid mines in the shipping channel, US officials have said.‌The Strait is a vital shipping lane for the world’s oil, and was closed by Iran following the outbreak of war with the US and Israel at the end of February. Since then only a small number of tankers have been allowed to pass through.‌But US officials now claim the strait remains closed due to “haphazardly” laid mines leaving tankers vulnerable to being blown up.‌The US military said two destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. However, Iran’s state media earlier said Iran forced a US military ship that was attempting to cross the channel to turn around.View 2 ImagesSatellite map shows huge Strait of Hormuz backlog(Image: Marine Traffic)READ MORE: Iran war peace talks face major gaps between sides in ending conflictREAD MORE: Inside Dubai's hidden crisis as tourists flee and luxury hotspots fall silent“We’re sweeping the strait. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,” Mr Trump told journalists as talks continued and the time approached 2am in Islamabad. Iranian state TV noted what it called “serious” differences.‌Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring.The US and Iran have begun face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan days after a two-week ceasefire was announced, as the war...