A US Department of Defense official has reportedly told lawmakers that it could take up to six months to clear all Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The estimate was shared during a closed-door congressional briefing on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The strait, a vital trade route carrying 20 per cent of the world's oil before the war, is now subject to competing US and Iranian blockades. The potential long-term disruption to traffic could have significant economic consequences, with the average US petrol price rising to $4.02 a gallon, up from $2.98 just before the US and Israel launched their surprise attack on Iran.
Three unnamed officials told The Washington Post that lawmakers were briefed on intelligence suggesting Iran may have deployed more than 20 mines in and around the strait. Some were dropped by boat, while others were set adrift using GPS-guided technology, making them difficult to detect. The Pentagon has denied the report, with spokesperson Sean Parnell calling the claims 'inaccurate'.
Iran began placing mines in the waterway in March, after the US and Israel launched hostilities. The country possesses more than 5,000 naval mines, which could be highly effective given the strait's shallow waters and narrow shipping lanes, according to the Defence Intelligence Agency. A fragile ceasefire is currently in place, extended earlier this week by President Donald Trump.
