Iran is Changing Tactics to Prevent Ships From Crossing the Hormuz Strait. It is Now Resorting to Limpet Mines.

Iran is resorting to a new tactic to prevent ships from transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a new report.

Tehran forces are sending speed boats toward the ships, with forces sticking limpet mines so they blow up a few minutes later, Reuters detailed.

Tehran is claiming to have hit several vessels that don't go through the routes it has authorized. One of them, the Panama-flagged Louise 1, was targeted and needed to have its crew evacuated after the mine exploded.

The outlet noted that it was the first known successful strike with such a weapon. "The apparent ability of a small craft to approach a transiting tanker, deploy explosive devices and withdraw presents a significant security concern, particularly in the Strait's congested shipping lanes," risk management group Marisks told the outlet. "The methodology of a small craft attaching these mines on ​the hulls of ⁠vessels in transit is cheap, low tech and very efficient," the company added.

The report comes shortly after Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper said Iranian naval forces no longer patrol the waterway. In a video posted on social media, Cooper said he saw dozens of commercial vessels crossing the strait and no Iranian military ones. "They were not out there because Iran's Navy is all at the bottom of the sea," Cooper added.

The development comes after a report noted that Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to the Iranian leadership emphasizing that any path towards a new deal must include "discussions on the nuclear issue."

The letter in question was sent to top Iranian military leader Mohsen Rezaei, who has a direct line to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. "The President was enthusiastic about the letter," a U.S. official told Axios.

Another report had noted that Iranian leaders will take a proposal detailing nuclear concessions to the U.S. in exchange for sanctions relief to avoid a return to a full-fledged war to Khamenei.

The same outlet detailed that the proposal, put forward by Qatar and supported by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, would see Iran allowing UN inspectors to visit its nuclear sites in exchange for sanctions relief.

One possibility includes returning to an agreement reached with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which allowed for the resumption of visits to nuclear sites but was later suspended after the UN Security Council reimposed snapback sanctions a month later.

Iran has been insisting that the U.S. first lift its blockade of the country's ports and release frozen funds. However, Iranian officials said they will take the proposal to the supreme leader for approval in the coming days.