No evidence Iran has mined Strait of Hormuz, Pentagon's Hegseth says

FILE PHOTO: An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, in Shinas

FILE PHOTO: An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart

There is no clear evidence that Iran has placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a news briefing on Friday.

The assessment by Hegseth contrasts with news reports earlier this week suggesting Iran had deployed about a dozen mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for a fifth of the world's oil.

Asked about the possibility of mines in the Strait, Hegseth said: "We've heard them talk about it just like you've reported recklessly and wildly about it. But ... we have no clear evidence of that."Hegseth's comments come as the United States and other countries face spiking oil and gas prices with the U.S-Israel war entering its 14th day, with oil prices hovering near $100 a barrel on Friday.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters