Clearing Mines in the Strait of Hormuz Could Take Six Months, Pentagon Blasts Report
A recent report by the Washington Post has claimed that it could take up to six months to fully clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines, a task that would delay the reopening of this crucial maritime route and potentially keep oil prices high. This assessment follows Iran’s ongoing blockade of the strait, which has been a key point of contention since the onset of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments, has been mostly closed during the ceasefire between the conflicting nations. Despite a tentative halt in hostilities, the U.S. has imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports. Even after the ceasefire ends, it could take months to remove the mines from the waterway, as revealed by Pentagon officials in a classified briefing to members of the House Armed Services Committee.
However, the Pentagon has denied these claims, accusing the media of “cherry-picking” and distorting information from the closed briefing. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell criticized the Washington Post report, calling it “false” and insisting that a six-month closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not feasible and would be completely unacceptable to the Secretary of Defense.
The Pentagon report also highlighted that Iran may have placed over 20 mines in the Strait, some of which are equipped with GPS technology, making them difficult to detect and remove. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have declared a “danger zone” of 1,400 square kilometers in the area, which is 14 times the size of Paris, potentially covered in mines.
Despite these tensions, international efforts to reopen the Strait are underway. In London, military planners from over 30 countries have been meeting to discuss plans led by the UK and France for a multinational mission to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This mission will focus on mine clearance operations and the eventual reopening of the vital shipping lane once hostilities cease.
