Iran has been unable to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping because it cannot locate all of the sea mines it deployed there and lacks the capability to remove them, according to United States officials. The mines were laid using small boats shortly after the United States and Israel began military operations against Iran, sharply reducing tanker traffic and driving up global energy prices.

Iran left a limited passage open for ships that pay a toll, but officials say the mining was carried out haphazardly. Some mines may have drifted from their original positions, and it is unclear whether their locations were fully recorded. Clearing naval mines is significantly more difficult than deploying them, and both Iran and the United States have limited mine removal capacity.

The situation has complicated diplomatic efforts as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan for talks. President Donald Trump has demanded the complete and immediate reopening of the strait as a condition for a proposed ceasefire, while Iran has cited technical limitations that American officials interpret as a reference to the mine problem.