France says no evidence yet of mines in Hormuz as Iranian Regime warns wider war risk

20/05/2026

France says no evidence yet of mines in Hormuz as Iranian Regime warns wider war risk

PARIS / TEHRAN, May 20: France has said it does not currently have confirmation that naval mines have been laid in the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that preparations are underway for possible mine-clearing operations in the strategic waterway.

French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin told France Info radio on Wednesday that there is “no certainty” at this stage regarding reports of mines in the area, but said France is preparing for the possibility of deploying demining capabilities if needed.

“We are preparing for the necessity to remove mines potentially,” she said, adding that mine-clearing vessels could be deployed as part of a potential Franco-British-led mission. France already maintains at least one such vessel based in Djibouti.

The comments came after US media reports, citing unnamed officials, claimed American intelligence had identified at least 10 mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The reports have not been independently verified.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, and any disruption would carry significant implications for global energy supplies.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning on Wednesday saying any renewed military strikes against Iran could expand the conflict beyond the region.

“If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will this time be taken beyond the region,” the IRGC said in a statement.

The IRGC added that it had not yet used all of its capabilities against the United States and Israel, warning of what it described as “crushing blows” in unexpected locations.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a key chokepoint for global oil shipments and has repeatedly been a flashpoint during regional tensions.