Moreover, such an operation will likely only be possible after the war is over. Three sources with insight told the newspaper that this was the assessment made by the US defense headquarters, the Pentagon, in a recent briefing to the House of Representatives defense committee.
The assessment is said to have sparked frustration among both Republicans and Democrats on the committee.
Apart from the economic consequences of such a protracted process to clean up the strait, the political consequences are also considered significant, particularly for Republicans in this autumn's midterm elections.
Iran is believed to have placed at least 20 mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz, some of which may be difficult to find.
