
On January 24, 2025, Channel 2 (Iran) aired a report about an IRGC naval drill, which included the deployment of sea mines in the Persian Gulf. According to the report, the drill simulated the destruction of mock enemy vessels attempting to approach Iran's coast, and as a "follow-up" to these operations, naval mines were deployed across a vast area of the northern Persian Gulf. IRGC Navy commander General Alireza Tangsiri stated that the mines, designed to defend the islands and their coasts, are smart, guided mines that activate when vessels approach. Reporter Younes Shadlou mentioned that the drill was intended to "provide security" for international shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Reporter: "Detonating and destroying the vessels of the mock enemy that planned to approach the coasts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, were part of the most important plans of the first day of the IRGC Navy drill."
Narrator: "About an hour ago, as a follow-up to these operations, the IRGC navy laid naval mines in a vast part of the northern Persian Gulf, in order to defend the Iranian islands, as well as the strategic coasts of Iran. At the same time, air, ground, and naval units are engaged. Now, the enemy's minesweeping units are joining the frey, in order to remove parts of Iran's defense layers, especially the mined parts. These operations may be effective only against certain types of mines, which were used in these operations.
"However, as part of the complex planning of the islands and coasts' defense the IRGC navy does not allow the enemy to approach even the mined layers. The IRGC navy has decided to unveil one of its achievements from 15 years ago. It is almost impossible for the enemy's minesweeping units to deal with this type of mines. There is also another method of laying mines in order to protects the Iranian islands. In fact, no marine units are employed for this operation. The ability to deploy hundreds of mines per hour is now available for the IRGC naval forces. These mines await their prey in the depths of the Persian Gulf."
Alireza Tangsiri: "The mines designated for the defense of the islands and their coasts are smart and guided mines, which are activated when vessels approach the islands."
Younes Shadlou: "This drill, designed to provide security for international shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and Stratis of Hormuz will continue. Younes Shadlou, the broadcasting authority's news agency, in the Persian Gulf."