Demining the Strait of Hormuz

The Financial Times reports that the U.S. Navy has carried out a secret mission over the past several months, taking approximately four months to locate and neutralize mines planted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most vital maritime trade routes. The teams used divers, robotic boats, and underwater vehicles equipped with high-precision sonar devices to detect and disable the mines without exposing personnel to direct danger. Despite the successful clearance operations, the threat of new mines being planted remains, as Iran possesses a large inventory of mines that can easily be deployed by small boats. The danger persists, since the uncertainty about the Strait being free of mines impacts global shipping movements and raises insurance costs. There is also an ongoing risk that Iran may replant mines, turning the conflict into a technical and financial battle that exerts pressure on international navigation activities.

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