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Iran Unable to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz Due to Naval Mines, U.S. Officials Say

New York Times cites Pentagon sources on technical limits; Trump pushes for reopening amid Islamabad talks with Tehran

Iran would not be able to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz due to its inability to locate or remove all naval mines allegedly deployed in the waterway, according to U.S. officials cited by the New York Times.

The report states that Tehran used small vessels to deploy mines, but without maintaining precise maps of their locations. This, according to the U.S. sources, makes both detection and clearance highly complex and could limit Iran’s operational control over the strategic passage.

The alleged technical constraint comes at a sensitive moment, as negotiations continue in Islamabad between Iranian and U.S. delegations, where maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue.

Speaking on the talks, U.S. President Donald Trump said: “We’ll see what happens in the negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. They have been defeated militarily and we will reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon with or without them.”

Rejecting the idea of Iranian-imposed transit fees, Trump added: “No, we will not allow it. These are international waters. We will not allow that to happen.”

In parallel diplomatic developments, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on Thursday evening, according to a statement from Palazzo Chigi.

During the conversation, the two leaders expressed support for ongoing negotiations aimed at a lasting resolution to the crisis, ensuring regional security and leading to a sustainable reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. They also reiterated the importance of reaching an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, described as a necessary pillar for regional stability.

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