Pakistan, July 2 -- Tensions escalated in the Gulf last month as US intelligence revealed that Iran had loaded naval mines onto vessels, indicating possible plans to block the Strait of Hormuz. This move followed Israel's missile strikes on Iranian sites on June 13 and raised alarms in Washington about the risk of a wider conflict impacting global trade routes.

According to two US officials, Iran's preparation to deploy mines, although never executed, signaled Tehran's serious consideration of closing one of the world's most important oil shipping lanes. Roughly 20% of global oil and gas flows through the strait, and any disruption could severely impact global energy markets.

Despite Iran's parliament backing a measure to block the stra...