The Iranian military loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, a move that intensified concerns in Washington that Tehran was gearing up to blockade the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's strikes on sites across Iran, according to Reuters.

Axar.az reports that the previously unreported preparations, which were detected by U.S. intelligence, occurred some time after Israel launched its initial missile attack against Iran on June 13, said the officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.

The loading of the mines, which have not been deployed in the strait, suggests that Tehran may have been serious about closing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

This move would have escalated an already spiraling conflict and severely hindered global commerce.