Iran's Supreme National Defense Council issued a stark warning on March 23, 2026, declaring that any military action targeting its southern coastal areas would result in the immediate mining of all Gulf maritime routes. This comes amid reports that U.S. officials are considering measures to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted navigation.
State media quoted the council's statement: "Any attempt to attack Iran's coasts or islands will cause all access routes in the Gulf to be mined with various types of sea mines." The warning specifically referenced Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal responsible for over 90% of its crude shipments.
The council drew historical parallels to the 1980s Tanker War, noting that "more than 100 minesweepers failed to clear a few sea mines" during that conflict. Analysts suggest this statement serves as both a tactical warning and a reminder of Iran's asymmetric warfare capabilities in the strategically vital waterway through which 21 million barrels of oil pass daily.
Recent satellite imagery from February 2026 shows continued high activity at Kharg Island's oil facilities. The Defense Council reiterated that non-belligerent states must coordinate passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian authorities, maintaining its position on maritime sovereignty.
