Strait of Hormuz Reopening Could Face Weeks-Long Delay Over Lingering Mine Threats
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, could be delayed by several weeks as authorities grapple with the potential presence of naval mines believed to have been laid by Iran during recent hostilities.
President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that a deal had been reached to restore traffic through the waterway and resume oil flows. But maritime security analysts and shipping industry officials caution that verifying the safety of the strait will not happen overnight. Conventional minesweepers and underwater drones may require 40 to 50 days to systematically clear the passage, according to sources familiar with the operation.
“Even the mere suspicion of mines is enough to halt normal shipping,” said one maritime security consultant. “A single undetonated mine can bring a $300 million supertanker to a standstill.”
The strait, which separates Iran from Oman, typically handles about 20% of the world’s daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Its closure earlier this year sent ripples through global energy markets and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
Trump expressed optimism on Sunday that “oil will flow on both ends” following the agreement. The next day, he described the waterway as “already partially opened” and noted that crews were engaged in “a little hunting for a couple of mines.”
But the biggest uncertainty remains whether Iran actually seeded the strait with mines during the conflict. While dozens of vessels transited the area during the fighting without striking any, U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that the threat is credible. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers earlier this month that Iran had mined “large segments” of the strait. Germany’s navy, citing intelligence from U.S. and British sources, reported that mines may have been detected in several locations around the waterway.
Iran has previously threatened to mine the strait—most notably during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s—but has never publicly confirmed doing so during this latest standoff. That ambiguity is itself a deterrent. Shipping companies and their insurers are demanding robust guarantees before resuming normal operations.
“A supertanker and its cargo can be worth roughly $300 million,” industry officials noted. “Carriers will not risk that kind of asset without clear proof that the channel is safe.”
The U.S. Navy is expected to rely heavily on unmanned systems for the clearance effort. According to The New York Times, underwater drones equipped with sonar can map the seafloor, while remotely operated vehicles can investigate suspicious objects and place charges to neutralize them. Modern naval mines present unique challenges: some are designed to evade traditional sweeping techniques, while others use a combination of magnetic, acoustic, and pressure sensors to detect passing ships.
“Identifying a mine among rocks, debris, and other underwater clutter is painstaking work,” said a retired U.S. Navy mine warfare officer. “It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack, except the needle can blow up your ship.”
Pentagon officials indicated that U.S. forces will remain on heightened alert as the Trump administration evaluates whether the reopening agreement holds. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military presence would continue “as long as necessary.” Britain, France, and Germany have already positioned naval assets in the region and could join a multinational mine-clearing operation if called upon.
The broader impact could extend well beyond the strait. Analysts warn that even a temporary disruption to Hormuz traffic may keep oil prices elevated and raise insurance premiums for all Gulf shipping routes. “This isn’t just about one waterway,” said a senior fellow at a Washington-based energy security think tank. “It’s about the credibility of maritime security guarantees in the entire Persian Gulf.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
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