Pentagon Warns Mine Clearance in Strait of Hormuz Could Take at Least Six Months

Defense officials shared this assessment during a classified briefing with the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), citing an anonymous source, the extended timeline poses a significant threat to global energy stability and international maritime trade routes.

The mines were reportedly deployed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following the outbreak of hostilities involving Israel and the United States on February 28. It is estimated that more than a dozen powerful naval mines were placed at various strategic points throughout the channel. Of particular concern to international maritime experts is the revelation that the IRGC failed to maintain precise records or maps of the mine locations. Consequently, despite the ceasefire announced on April 8, identifying and neutralizing these hazards has become a monumental challenge for the international community.

During the closed-door session, lawmakers pressed defense officials for details regarding the costs, strategies, and specific objectives of the ongoing military engagement with Iran. The committee also raised sharp questions concerning a controversial strike on a school campus earlier in the conflict, though the Pentagon has yet to provide definitive answers on these sensitive matters. Economic analysts warn that a prolonged closure or restricted access to the Strait will have a severe negative impact on global fuel supplies and the international commodity transport system, a concern echoed by trade partners and NATO-member states heavily dependent on this corridor.