The U.S. Department of Defense has analyzed that there are more than 20 sea mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz, and their removal could take up to six months. According to the Washington Post, a source revealed that the Defense Department provided a classified briefing to the House Armed Services Committee on the 21st. The Defense Department told lawmakers that Iran may have laid more than 20 mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz. It noted that some of the mines are remotely operated, making them difficult for U.S. forces to detect. The analysis also indicated that completely clearing the mines could take six months. Additionally, related clearance operations are unlikely to be carried out until the conflict with Iran ends. This raises concerns that economic impacts, including persistently high gasoline prices, could continue into the latter half of this year or beyond.
