The Strait of Hormuz remains closed because Iran "haphazardly" laid mines in the shipping channel, US officials have said. The Strait is a vital shipping lane for the world ’s oil, and was closed by Iran following the outbreak of war with the US and Israel at the end of February. Since then only 12 ships have been allowed to pass through. But US officials now claim the strait remains closed due to “haphazardly” laid mines leaving tankers vulnerable to being blown up with Iran unable to locate