A classified Pentagon assessment has warned that clearing Iranian naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months, even after hostilities end.
This critical waterway, which handles a fifth of global oil shipments, has been heavily mined by Iran, causing oil prices to surge and raising fears of prolonged economic disruption. The U.S. military is deploying advanced unmanned systems, including sea drones and trained dolphins, to speed up mine-clearing operations, but officials caution that the process will be slow and complex. The Pentagon has publicly disputed some media reports about the timeline, but multiple sources confirm that lawmakers were briefed on the six-month estimate.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of global energy supplies to regional conflicts and the strategic leverage Iran holds over this vital maritime chokepoint.
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