The US Navy is conducting a mine-clearing operation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Navy has begun mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz under orders from President Donald Trump. This operation is part of Washington's efforts to reopen this vital sea lane for the global energy industry, which is threatened by underwater weapons.

Technical and time-consuming scanning challenges

According to a Pentagon report to the House Armed Services Committee, the process of completely clearing the mines laid by Iran in the strait could take at least six months. This is a significant timeframe, reflecting the complexity of locating explosive materials in a sensitive maritime environment.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth affirmed that the U.S. military is fully confident in its ability to handle identified naval mines. However, he also stressed that this operation will be conducted at a much higher intensity, three times greater than before, to ensure maximum safety for international trade.

Combat capabilities and deployment means

Currently, the U.S. Navy is deploying professional divers and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians to the area. While there is no direct presence of large minesweepers in the strait, the U.S. maintains two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) capable of countering mines in the Middle East.

In addition, two Avenger-class minesweepers based in Japan are en route to the area to reinforce the force. According to Emma Salisbury, a scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Iran's mine stockpile is estimated at several thousand, mostly older models of Soviet origin or domestically produced versions based on foreign technology.

Tactical and psychological warfare impact

Military experts believe that mine-laying is an effective asymmetrical tactic because it is low-cost and easy to implement. A high-speed vessel can easily drop mines into the sea, but the scanning process requires advanced technology and a long time.

Notably, psychological factors play a crucial role in this confrontation. Ms. Salisbury stated that simply creating doubt about the existence of naval mines is enough to disrupt commercial shipping operations. Even if the U.S. Navy declares the area safe, contradictory statements from Iran could still pose political and economic risks, especially given the volatile global energy prices.

Alongside the demining operation, the US continued to implement other pressure tactics such as blockading Iranian seaports and seizing ships linked to Tehran, while also seeking a diplomatic solution through rounds of negotiations in Pakistan.