Washington Post: Pentagon Estimates Hormuz Mine Clearing to Take 6 Months, Oil Prices May Stay High
A classified Pentagon briefing revealed that clearing Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz could take six months, suggesting US gas prices will remain high ahead of the midterm elections.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 14:12
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 14:31 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 16:21 (1h 49m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Washington 22nd, General Foreign Wire) In a classified briefing to lawmakers, the US Pentagon estimated that comprehensively clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz could take six months. The report implies that gasoline and oil prices are likely to remain high ahead of the midterm elections.
The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon informed Congress it could take six months to completely clear the naval mines deployed by the Iranian military in the Strait of Hormuz, and any such operation is unlikely to begin before the war between the US and Iran concludes. This assessment means the economic fallout from the conflict could last until the end of the year or longer.
Three officials familiar with the discussions stated that a senior Department of War official shared this estimate yesterday during a classified briefing for members of the House Armed Services Committee. Two of those individuals noted that this timeline frustrated both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, serving as the latest sign that even after a peace agreement is reached, gas and oil prices could remain elevated for a prolonged period.
Beyond the economic impact, as the US midterm elections approach in November, such an outcome could have major domestic political ramifications, particularly for the Republican Party. Recent polls show that President Trump's decision to launch the war is unpopular among the majority of Americans and has divided his political base.
According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of gasoline in the US today is $4.02 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the war started in February.
Trump has wavered on when gas prices might drop, stating this month that prices might be "flat or a little higher" by the midterm elections, before later claiming they would be "much lower" before the vote. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that we might not see "oil prices starting with a 3" again until late September.
The three officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive topics, said lawmakers were told Iran may have laid 20 or more mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The senior Department of War official told lawmakers that some mines were deployed remotely using GPS technology, making it difficult for the US military to detect them during the laying process. Other mines are believed to have been laid by Iranian forces using small boats.
The Pentagon declined to respond to questions regarding the military's assessment of the time needed to clear the mines. Spokesman Sean Parnell issued a brief statement acknowledging that the information was disclosed in a classified briefing to Congress but called the information "inaccurate."
The statement read: "The Washington Post's decision to publish these false claims clearly shows they are more concerned with advancing an agenda than the truth."
The US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, declined to comment. The White House deferred questions to the Pentagon. (Translation: Li Pei-shan) 1150423
(CNA Washington 22nd, General Foreign Wire) In a classified briefing to lawmakers, the US Pentagon estimated that comprehensively clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz could take six months. The report implies that gasoline and oil prices are likely to remain high ahead of the midterm elections.
The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon informed Congress it could take six months to completely clear the naval mines deployed by the Iranian military in the Strait of Hormuz, and any such operation is unlikely to begin before the war between the US and Iran concludes. This assessment means the economic fallout from the conflict could last until the end of the year or longer.
Three officials familiar with the discussions stated that a senior Department of War official shared this estimate yesterday during a classified briefing for members of the House Armed Services Committee. Two of those individuals noted that this timeline frustrated both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, serving as the latest sign that even after a peace agreement is reached, gas and oil prices could remain elevated for a prolonged period.
Beyond the economic impact, as the US midterm elections approach in November, such an outcome could have major domestic political ramifications, particularly for the Republican Party. Recent polls show that President Trump's decision to launch the war is unpopular among the majority of Americans and has divided his political base.
According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of gasoline in the US today is $4.02 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the war started in February.
Trump has wavered on when gas prices might drop, stating this month that prices might be "flat or a little higher" by the midterm elections, before later claiming they would be "much lower" before the vote. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that we might not see "oil prices starting with a 3" again until late September.
The three officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive topics, said lawmakers were told Iran may have laid 20 or more mines in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The senior Department of War official told lawmakers that some mines were deployed remotely using GPS technology, making it difficult for the US military to detect them during the laying process. Other mines are believed to have been laid by Iranian forces using small boats.
The Pentagon declined to respond to questions regarding the military's assessment of the time needed to clear the mines. Spokesman Sean Parnell issued a brief statement acknowledging that the information was disclosed in a classified briefing to Congress but called the information "inaccurate."
The statement read: "The Washington Post's decision to publish these false claims clearly shows they are more concerned with advancing an agenda than the truth."
The US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, declined to comment. The White House deferred questions to the Pentagon. (Translation: Li Pei-shan) 1150423