The Strait of Hormuz and the danger of mines… Iran announces two alternative paths

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy announced Thursday that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must take two alternative routes near the Iranian coast, noting the possibility of the presence of “mines” on the usual route.

Mehr News Agency reported, quoting a military statement accompanied by a marine map showing the two routes in the south and north of Kharg Island, that “in order to protect against possible collisions with mines, and in coordination with the Navy of the Revolutionary Guard (…) (ships) will have to take alternative routes to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.”

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday night, less than an hour before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump to destroy the Islamic Republic unless it yields to his demands to reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

On Wednesday, navigation movement in the Strait of Hormuz continued at a slow pace, on the first day of the ceasefire agreement entering into force, with two ships crossing the Gulf in the morning, while a third ship was on its way, according to data from a maritime tracking website.