The reports of attacks on commercial ships came after the US said it "eliminated" 16 Iranian mine-layers in the area. Elsewhere, two drones were downed near Dubai airport.
You could presumably program them to self-detonate after a few weeks or months, but it would still present an unexploded ordnance hazard. I’m also hoping that they’re got proper anchored mines, with detailed records of locations for postwar minesweeping, but given the situation they could just be throwing them all out there as quick as they can. It is after all an existential war for national survival on Iran’s side.
You could presumably program them to self-detonate after a few weeks or months, but it would still present an unexploded ordnance hazard. I’m also hoping that they’re got proper anchored mines, with detailed records of locations for postwar minesweeping, but given the situation they could just be throwing them all out there as quick as they can. It is after all an existential war for national survival on Iran’s side.