17/06/2026
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17/06/2026
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WASHINGTON, Jun 17: Clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz would be a technically difficult and time-consuming operation, a US defense expert warned on Tuesday, following reports that Iran may be required under a proposed US-Iran memorandum of understanding to remove mines from the strategic waterway.
CNN reported that White House talking points on the draft agreement indicate that Iran would be responsible for de-mining the strait, a vital global shipping route through which a significant portion of the world's energy supplies passes.
A senior US official told CNN that maritime operations through the strait could return to normal relatively quickly once Iran commits to removing the mines, saying traffic was expected to resume "definitely within 30 days."
However, Scott Savitz, a mine warfare expert at the RAND Corporation, said the process of removing sea mines is far more challenging than deploying them.
Savitz described mine clearance as a "painstaking" operation requiring extreme precision and specialized capabilities, while questioning whether Iran could successfully complete the task without outside assistance.
He noted that locating and safely neutralizing mines in a busy international waterway requires advanced equipment, trained personnel and careful planning to avoid further risks to commercial shipping and naval operations.
The issue of mine removal has emerged as a key point in discussions surrounding the reported US-Iran framework agreement, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a central concern for regional security and global energy markets.
