Mine removal

US media is reporting it may take six months to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities stop. The warnings suggest a deal with Iran over the reopening of the Strait, even in the unlikely scenario where that could be achieved in the short term, would be just the start. The Pentagon's assessment is that it could take six months to complete minesweeping operations in the Strait after hostilities have ceased - a task which would require advanced minesweeping and mine-hunting equipment installed on Independence-class littoral combat ships deployed in the region.