If the Strait of Hormuz Is Mined, Clearing It Could Take Months

If the Strait of Hormuz has already been mined, clearing it could become one of the most complex naval operations in modern warfare. The narrow waterway carries nearly 20% of the world's oil supply, making any disruption a major global crisis.

Military experts say the first step would be targeting mine-laying vessels and destroying coastal missile batteries controlled by Iran. Even after that, mine clearance operations could take weeks or even months, as naval teams painstakingly search for and neutralise underwater explosives.