Iran has deployed a multi-layered offensive strategy to control the strait
Iran's strategy has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, and the US is considering naval operations to secure the waterway. Here are the biggest threats civilian vessels face in the strait.
Iranian threats to civilian vessels
Land-based missiles
Iran’s long coastline means that its missile batteries have a wide reach and are difficult to eliminate because they can be moved from place to place
Sea mines
Iran has an extensive ability to lay mines with smaller boats, a source told CNN, which makes its mining activities more difficult to surveil and combat
Attack drones
Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are cheap to mass produce Meanwhile, the missiles needed to shoot them down cost millions
Small boats
Iran is believed to be deploying some
small-crewed vessels and uncrewed surface
vessels — essentially drone boats packed with
explosives that can attack tankers
Submarines
The US has taken out many of Iran’s naval vessels and major submarines, but “midget submarines” still potentially pose a threat, according to analysts
Potential US methods of protection
Warships and patrol aircraft
Any naval mission to help ships safely pass through the strait would require layered defenses, including satellite surveillance and protection by warships, plus patrol aircraft to fly ahead
Iranian threats to civilian vessels
Land-based missiles
Iran’s long coastline means that its missile batteries have a wide reach and are difficult to eliminate because they can be moved from place to place
Sea mines
Iran has an extensive ability to lay mines with smaller boats, a source told CNN, which makes its mining activities more difficult to surveil and combat
Attack drones
Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are cheap to mass produce. Meanwhile, the missiles needed to shoot them down cost millions
Small boats
Iran is believed to be deploying some small-crewed vessels
and uncrewed surface vessels — essentially drone boats
packed with explosives that can attack tankers
Submarines
The US has taken out many of Iran’s naval vessels and major submarines, but “midget submarines” still potentially pose a threat, according to analysts
Potential US methods of protection
Warships and patrol aircraft
Any naval mission to help ships safely pass through the strait would require layered defenses, including satellite surveillance and protection by warships, plus patrol aircraft to fly ahead
Iranian threats to civilian vessels
Land-based missiles
Iran’s long coastline means that its missile batteries have a wide reach and are difficult to eliminate because they can be moved from place to place
Submarines
The US has taken out many of Iran’s naval vessels and major submarines, but “midget submarines” still potentially pose a threat, according to analysts
Attack drones
Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are cheap to mass produce. Meanwhile, the missiles needed to shoot them down cost millions
Sea mines
Iran has an extensive ability to lay mines with smaller boats, a source told CNN, which makes its mining activities more difficult to surveil and combat
Small boats
Iran is believed to be deploying some
small-crewed vessels and uncrewed surface
vessels — essentially drone boats packed
with explosives that can attack tankers
Potential US methods of protection
Warships and patrol aircraft
Any naval mission to help ships safely pass through the strait would require layered defenses, including satellite surveillance and protection by warships, plus patrol aircraft to fly ahead
