US Congress report: Iran holds up to 6,000 naval mines

Iran is believed to possess between 5,000 and 6,000 naval mines, according to a report by the United States Congress published last year.

The findings were cited by CNN, which reported that the document was released following the 12-day conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States in June 2025. The report analysed the potential impact of the conflict on global oil and gas markets, particularly in the event of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, Tehran had an arsenal of more than 5,000 naval mines in 2019. Estimates for 2025 suggest that the stockpile had increased slightly to roughly 6,000.

The document also states that Iran possesses several types of underwater weapons. These include magnetic mines that can attach directly to a ship’s hull, moored mines that float beneath the surface of the water and detonate upon contact with a vessel, and bottom mines that rest on the seabed and explode when they detect a ship nearby.

By Tamilla Hasanova