Clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months and probably won’t begin until the US war with Iran formally ends, the “Washington Post” reported on Wednesday, citing officials familiar with a confidential Pentagon briefing to Congress, reports Anadolia.
Lawmakers were told that Iran may have planted 20 or more mines in and around the waterway, some of which were placed remotely using GPS technology, making detection much more difficult, the Post reported.
The estimate has frustrated Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as it signals that the economic toll of the conflict, including higher oil and gasoline prices, could extend into a year.
The debate about mines in the Strait of Hormuz is not new. US President Donald Trump has suggested that Iran has removed or is removing mines, and that most of Iran’s “mine throwers” have been destroyed by US strikes. Iran has denied laying mines in the waterway, calling the allegations US propaganda, although Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had issued maps of safe passage in the area.
Reports of Iran laying mines in the strait first emerged in early March, with US officials then suggesting that small ships were used to deploy them after larger vessels were sunk.
The Pentagon did not respond to questions from the Post, US Central Command declined to comment, and the White House referred inquiries to the Pentagon.
(Vijesti.ba)
