▲ Iranian military rocket launch drill (File Photo)
Iran may have secured a new means of laying naval mines by firing rocket-propelled mines into the sea, The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 31st of last month (local time).
The NYT based this assumption on an announcement by the U.S. Central Command.
Regarding the airstrike on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz the previous day, Central Command Captain Tim Hawkins stated, "Circumstances were detected indicating that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces attempted to fire rockets equipped with mines into the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "We struck two mine-laying rocket launchers."
This airstrike marked the resumption of direct military action by the U.S. against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz after a month, sparking renewed tensions as Iran immediately threatened retaliation.
Iran is known to possess a variety of capabilities, ranging from small limpet mines that personnel attach directly to hulls to large mines capable of sinking massive vessels.
Naval mines are typically deployed into the sea using minelayers or submarines, or dropped from aircraft using parachutes.
However, land-launched, rocket-dropped mines are extremely rare.
While noting that it could not independently verify whether the U.S. military's announcement was true, the NYT pointed out that if true, it means Iran has acquired an unusual and new type of mine capability.
In this regard, maritime industry specialized media The Maritime Executive reported in January of last year that the Iranian military had demonstrated a modified version of the Fajr-5 rocket capable of deploying "single drifting mines" underwater during a drill.
The NYT pointed out that due to the limitations of rocket caliber, this method cannot deploy large mines and thus poses little serious damage to large oil tankers, but remains at a threatening level for small vessels.
In the case of the Fajr-5 rocket, it can only carry small mines with a caliber of 333 millimeters and an explosive payload of just a few dozen kilograms.
Furthermore, it deploys drifting mines rather than moored mines (secured by anchors), which the shipping industry fears the most.
Drifting mines are generally small, but pose a risk of causing casualties if washed ashore by currents and wind.
(File Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.