Pentagon Rejects Report Claiming Six Month Timeline to Clear Strait of Hormuz Mines
US officials dispute leaked assessment as Iran signals economic leverage through tolls and continued control over vital shipping route
3 min read
The Pentagon has dismissed a report suggesting it could take up to six months to fully remove naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, calling the claim inaccurate and misleading.
The report, published by The Washington Post, cited unnamed officials who alleged that such an estimate was presented during a classified briefing to members of the House Armed Services Committee. US officials strongly pushed back against that narrative.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell criticized the reporting, stating that “the media cherry picking leaked information, much of which is false, from a classified, closed briefing, is dishonest journalism.”
He further rejected the timeline described in the report, saying “One assessment does not mean the assessment is plausible, and a six month closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an impossibility and completely unacceptable to the Secretary.”
Tensions remain high around the critical maritime corridor, which handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. Iran has declared it will not reopen the route while US restrictions on its ports remain in place, contributing to rising energy prices and global market uncertainty.
According to the report, lawmakers were told that Iran may have deployed at least 20 naval mines in and around the waterway, some reportedly using GPS based systems that complicate detection. Iranian authorities have also warned of a large “danger zone” where such devices could be present.
Shipping companies continue to exercise caution. Industry representatives have emphasized the need for clear guidance on safe navigation routes, as only limited traffic resumed during a brief reopening earlier this month amid ceasefire conditions.
The US Navy has stated that it began operations to remove mines in the area, though this claim has been denied by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which warned against foreign military presence in the region.
Meanwhile, international efforts are underway to secure the waterway. Military officials from more than 30 countries have gathered for talks led by the United Kingdom and France to plan a coordinated mission aimed at protecting maritime navigation and clearing mines once hostilities subside.
Historical precedent highlights the complexity of such operations. Following the Gulf War, multinational forces required more than two years to clear hundreds of mines from regional waters.
Iran has also signaled a strategic shift by leveraging control over the strait economically. Officials confirmed that Tehran has begun collecting tolls from vessels passing through the route. Senior Iranian figure Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated, “A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade.”
Analysts suggest Iran views its position as a source of leverage in ongoing tensions with Washington. Experts argue that rising energy prices and global supply disruptions could increase pressure on the United States during negotiations.
A report from the The Soufan Center noted that Iranian hardliners believe sustained economic strain on global markets may push the US toward concessions, while US policymakers maintain that restricting Iran’s oil exports will weaken its economy and force compliance.
Diplomatic uncertainty continues as potential talks remain unconfirmed. Donald Trump indicated that negotiations could resume soon, possibly in Islamabad, although no official agreement has been announced.