Mines: Iran’s Weapon in Hormuz — China’s Plan Decades in the Making |Taiwan Talks EP803

The US-Iran war has put a spotlight on one of the oldest — and most overlooked — forms of naval warfare: Sea mines. As Tehran threatens shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, attention is turning to how simple, low-cost weapons can disrupt global trade and challenge even the most advanced navies. For China, mine warfare has long been a core part of its strategy, with analysts warning it may play a decisive role in any Taiwan conflict. Could hidden underwater mines become a key tool in blockading Taiwan or denying access to critical sea lanes? In this episode, we examine China’s mine warfare capabilities, Taiwan’s countermeasures, and why this “assassin’s mace” could reshape the balance of sea power in the Indo-Pacific.

*Recorded on March 26, 2026 at 4:40pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Research Assistant: Ryan Pham

Our guests:

Tony Hu
- Former US Department of Defense Senior Director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia
James Fanell
- US Navy Captain (Ret.)

Chapters:
00:00:00 – Iran War Highlights Threat of Mines
00:02:03 – Experts: China Has 30+ Mine Types
00:07:46 – Beijing's Sophisticated Tactics
00:16:24 – Taiwan Boosts Minesweeping, Laying
00:20:10 – China's Survey Ships in Indo-Pacific
00:22:40 – China Studies US Mine Campaigns




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