Iran has laid about a dozen mines in Strait of Hormuz, sources say

Iran has deployed about a dozen mines in the Strait of Hormuz, two sources familiar with the matter say, in a move likely to complicate the reopening of the narrow waterway, an important route for shipping oil and liquefied natural gas.

Exports of oil and LNG through the strategic chokepoint along Iran’s coast have effectively been halted by the war launched 12 days ago by the United States and Israel, helping to drive a surge in world energy prices.

Iran’s military command said today that the world should be prepared for oil to hit $200 a barrel.

One source says the mines were deployed “in the last few days” and that most of their locations are known. But the source declines to say how the US plans to deal with them.

CNN first reported the mining of the strait yesterday.

Iran has long threatened to retaliate against any military attack by mining the strait. About a fifth of global oil and LNG normally passes through the strait, and Tehran’s ability to stop shipping through the channel gives it enormous leverage over the US and its allies.