The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) informed Congress that it could take up to six months to completely clear mines laid by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. It also stated that such mine countermeasures would be difficult to execute before the end of the war between the U.S. and Iran. This assessment suggests that the economic impact of the conflict could extend beyond the second half of this year. A senior Pentagon official reportedly shared these estimates during a classified briefing for members of the House Armed Services Committee on the 21st (local time). According to two sources, this timeline disappointed both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and is being seen as the clearest signal yet that gasoline and crude oil prices could remain high for an extended period, regardless of any peace agreement reached. Beyond the economic impact, analysis suggests significant repercussions for U.S. domestic politics, especially for the Republican Party, ahead of the November midterm elections. Lawmakers were reportedly informed that Iran may have laid more than 20 mines in the Strait of Hormuz area, with some believed to be remotely deployed using GPS technology, making them difficult for U.S. forces to detect. The remaining mines are presumed to have been laid by Iranian forces using small vessels. The White House and the Pentagon did not respond to inquiries about the assessment on the 22nd (local time), and U.S. Central Command also declined to comment.
