The World Iran employs disruptive maritime tactics in response to strikes
Mar 11, 2026
Shashank Joshi, defense editor at The Economist, explains Iran's shift to asymmetric naval tactics and mining the Strait of Hormuz. Sara Hassan, reporter, narrates the Hmong community’s fear and organizing after ICE raids in Minnesota. Daniel Litt, assistant professor of mathematics, explores how AI is reshaping mathematical research and what that means for future practice.
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Iran Uses Low Cost Maritime Risk To Choke Oil Flows
- Iran shifted from missile-heavy strikes to low-cost asymmetric maritime tactics to keep the Strait of Hormuz risky without needing to hit every ship.
- Shashank Joshi explains small boats, fishing vessels and a few mines can deter commercial shipping and jam this vital choke point.
Allies Lack Ready Mine Clearing Assets
- U.S. and allies lack ready mine-countermeasure capacity in the Middle East, complicating any quick demining or escort plan.
- Joshi notes many MCMs were decommissioned and allied demining skills have atrophied, creating a preparedness gap.
Delay Escort Plans Until Demining Is Possible
- Avoid relying on ad-hoc escorts until projectile and mine threats fall and proper mine countermeasures arrive.
- Joshi cites a deleted U.S. Energy Secretary tweet and says escorts are too dangerous now without demining assets.