Pentagon officials have informed the US House of Representatives during a classified hearing that the process of clearing naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take approximately six months.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing a report by the Washington Post, the likelihood of commencing these operations before the conclusion of the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran remains low. The briefing provided to members of Congress highlighted that Iran may have deployed more than 20 mines in the vicinity of the strait. Some of these devices are reportedly equipped with GPS technology for remote control, significantly complicating detection and neutralization efforts.
The situation follows a series of military operations initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, which were paused on April 8 for a two-week ceasefire. Recent negotiations mediated by Pakistan in Islamabad concluded without a breakthrough. US President Donald Trump has stated that the ceasefire will be extended until Iran presents new proposals; however, he emphasized that the military blockade will remain in effect. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint, through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil consumption passes, making its security vital for international energy markets and global economic stability.
