Iran could not open the Strait of Hormuz because it no longer knows where it has placed explosive mines.

Iran is facing an impossible situation in the Strait of Hormuz, unable to reopen the corridor for commercial navigation due to the naval mines it has laid during the war. American officials told The New York Times that the safe corridors indicated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are limited, and both Iran and the United States lack the necessary capabilities to remove the mines. Some of these can move in the water, and Iran may not have recorded all the mines it has laid. Although the U.S. has claimed that the strait has been reopened, Donald Trump acknowledged that Iran is preventing ships from using this corridor. Tehran has threatened that it will continue the blockade until Israel ceases its attacks on Hezbollah, the allied group in Lebanon.

Iran is strengthening its control over maritime traffic, which contributes to keeping oil prices at a high level. An Iranian source stated that the transit of more than 15 ships per day will not be allowed during the ceasefire. Monitoring data shows reduced traffic in the strait, with only a few cargo and oil tankers entering and exiting the area.