A sea mine is like a land mine in that you always have a safe path through that you know and can communicate to allies. Even if enemies know the location of the minefields, you’re still forcing them to go through an area of your choosing rather than allowing them free movement. Most likely, Iran will have mined the areas closer to the UAE side of the strait, forcing any ships to hug Iran’s coastline and allowing them to strike with even their shortest range missiles.
If they are mining the strait it’s to put pressure on the US.
They would not give up that pressure.
Also, either they are communicating with the mines to tell them which commercial ships have Chinese bound cargo, (I guess that is possible, but I have never heard of it) or they are indiscriminate.
On the other hand, if they have a live data link to the mines, then that would be a pretty good way for minesweepers to sweep up the mines. That doesn’t sound like a really prudent course of action.
Didn’t get chinese and idian ships get an exception from the closure.
No, but at least one Chinese ship ran the strait yesterday. And a Greek one I think.
Sea mines are indiscriminate weapons.
A sea mine is like a land mine in that you always have a safe path through that you know and can communicate to allies. Even if enemies know the location of the minefields, you’re still forcing them to go through an area of your choosing rather than allowing them free movement. Most likely, Iran will have mined the areas closer to the UAE side of the strait, forcing any ships to hug Iran’s coastline and allowing them to strike with even their shortest range missiles.
They really aren’t anymore. Mines have advanced a lot in terms of technology. You’d be amazed.
If they are mining the strait it’s to put pressure on the US.
They would not give up that pressure.
Also, either they are communicating with the mines to tell them which commercial ships have Chinese bound cargo, (I guess that is possible, but I have never heard of it) or they are indiscriminate.
On the other hand, if they have a live data link to the mines, then that would be a pretty good way for minesweepers to sweep up the mines. That doesn’t sound like a really prudent course of action.