Strait of Hormuz mine clearance: US Navy effort faces shipping and insurance doubts

President Donald Trump said the US Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The route carries about 20 per cent of the world’s oil. Experts said checks for underwater explosives could take months. They also warned safety claims may not reassure ship owners and insurers after the US-Iran war.

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The Trump administration has pushed several steps to restart traffic through the strait. Rising energy prices and wider economic impacts have raised political pressure. The US has blockaded Iran’s ports and seized ships linked to Tehran. Trump also said on Saturday that envoys would not go to Pakistan.

Strait of Hormuz mine clearing timeline

Pentagon officials told lawmakers mine clearance could take six months, a person said. The details were shared in a classified House Armed Services Committee briefing on Tuesday. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday the military would not set timelines. "Allegedly that was something that was said,\" Hegseth said.

Hegseth added that the US remained confident about its capability and pace. \"But we feel confident in our ability, in the correct period of time, to clear any mines that we identify.\" Trump said the Navy was ordered to strike any boat laying mines. \"Additionally, our mine sweepers are clearing the Strait right now,\" Trump wrote.

Trump also directed the effort to expand. \"I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!\" Adm. Brad Cooper, the top US commander in the Middle East, said the military would work to clear mines. Cooper did not give operational details.

Strait of Hormuz mine threats and Iran capability

It remains unclear if any mine has been placed. Iran has referred to the likelihood of mines on prewar routes. Emma Salisbury said Iran’s mine stockpiles were in the low thousands. Salisbury said many devices were older Soviet models. Some newer systems may be from China or made locally.

\"You dont even have to have lain mines - you just have to make people believe that youve laid mines,\" Salisbury said. \"And even if the US sweeps the strait and says everythings clear, all the Iranians have to do is say, Well, actually, you havent found them all yet,\" Salisbury said. Salisbury said confidence may stay weak.

Salisbury said minelaying can be simpler than detection and removal. \"Minelaying is a lot easier than minesweeping, so you can literally push these things off the back of a speedboat,\" Salisbury said. Salisbury added Iran has small submarines that can lay mines. Salisbury said there were no signs those submarines were destroyed.

Salisbury said the devices would likely not be visible at the surface. Mines could sit on the seabed or be moored under the water. Triggers may include pressure changes from passing ships. They can also be activated by engine noise, Salisbury said. These factors complicate safe clearance claims.

Strait of Hormuz mine clearing methods used by US Navy

A defence official said the US Navy has two littoral combat ships in the Middle East. The ships can support mine-hunting and clearance work. The official spoke anonymously about sensitive movements. Two US Avenger-class minesweepers based in Japan also left for the Middle East.

The official said those Avenger-class ships were still in the Pacific Ocean on Friday. There is no indication US warships are currently the main tools used in the strait. Experts said divers and explosive ordnance teams can work in the region. Such smaller teams may be less visible targets than large vessels.

Steven Wills, a retired lieutenant commander, said planners may aim to open safe channels. Wills served on an Avenger-class minesweeper and now works with the Navy League. \"Minehunting is walking through your yard pulling individual weeds and dandelions so that you can walk safely from one side to the other. Minesweeping is more like mowing the grass,\" Wills said.

Wills said littoral combat ship teams can deploy uncrewed vehicles. The systems use sonar and other tools to locate mines. They can also carry charges to destroy explosives. Wills said helicopters can search using lasers. Wills also said ships may carry divers for explosive disposal missions.

RAND researcher Scott Savitz said complete removal may not be required. \"Theres still areas that have not been cleared from World War II - and in some cases, World War I - just because it is so resource intensive and it takes a lot of time,\" Savitz said. Some equipment could be moved off ships and used from land.

Strait of Hormuz mine clearing and shipping insurance risk

Shipping firms are assessing whether the route is worth the danger. Savitz said companies may accept some risk because the passage can be profitable. Under Iran’s current transit process, vessels take a northern route near Iran’s coastline. That path differs from routes used before the war, according to the report.

Dylan Mortimer at Marsh said insurers are adding a clause for ship owners. The clause requires contacting Iranian authorities for safe passage. Mortimer said the certification covers more than mines. It also addresses missile and drone attacks, and potential seizures. It is meant to cover the full threat range.

Mortimer said mines still shape decision-making through fear. \"But mines do, at the very least, play a psychological role, a phenomenon Mortimer called the specter of threat.\" \"That plays in the Iranians favour, because whether there are mines there or not, people think theres mines there and they will operate accordingly,\" Mortimer said. Confidence may return slowly.

Experts said the mine issue could linger beyond the ceasefire. Clearance claims may not be enough for insurers and captains. Smaller teams may work quietly, while larger assets remain limited. For now, the US is pressing ahead with mine checks and wider pressure on Iran-linked shipping. Commercial traffic is still weighing safety and cost.

With inputs from PTI