Pentagon Estimates: Clearing the Strait of Hormuz of Mines Could Take 6 Months

SadaNews - The U.S. Department of Defense, "the Pentagon," revealed in a confidential briefing to members of the House Armed Services Committee estimates indicating that the operation to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines planted by Iran may take a full six months. This means that the vital artery for global energy could remain paralyzed for a long time even after the guns fall silent, as reported by the American newspaper "The Washington Post."

A senior Pentagon official clarified that any comprehensive cleaning operation of the maritime passage will not begin in earnest until the ongoing war between Washington and Tehran is settled, putting the world in front of an economic crisis likely to persist until the end of this year or possibly beyond.

Lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties reacted to these estimates with a wave of frustration, as they reflect the significant technical challenges faced by U.S. forces in detecting Iranian mines. Reports indicate that Tehran has deployed dozens of mines using small boats, and even utilized GPS technology to deploy remote-controlled floating mines, complicating the tracking and destruction process immensely.

For his part, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell attempted to downplay these leaks, describing them as inaccurate.

On the domestic U.S. front, this maritime blockade casts a heavy shadow over the political scene as the midterm elections approach in November, where gasoline prices have surged sharply to surpass four dollars per gallon. U.S. President Donald Trump finds himself under increasing pressure, especially after polls indicated a decline in the popularity of the war decision, causing a rift in his electoral base that supported him based on previous promises to avoid foreign military interventions.