PURWOKERTO PORTAL – The United States government under the leadership of Donald Trump began carrying out operations to clear mines allegedly installed by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
This step was taken to restore smooth ship traffic on the vital route which is the distribution route for around 20% of the world’s oil.
This operation is one of the latest strategies amidst global concerns about energy supply disruptions which have resulted in soaring oil prices.
However, experts assess that the process of clearing underwater mines is not easy and could take months, it is even estimated that up to six months, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
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Security researcher from the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Emma Salisbury, said that in modern warfare, the perception of the threat is as important as the threat itself.
Even without active mines, fear of their presence alone is enough to discourage commercial vessels and insurance companies from crossing the route.
Meanwhile, Pentagon officials told lawmakers that the cleanup process would take significant time due to the complexity of the underwater operation.
Defense Minister Pete Hegseth also emphasized that the US military has the capability to deal with the threat, although he did not provide a definitive timeline for completion.
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Until now, there has been no indication of the use of large warships in this operation. However, the US Navy reportedly deployed divers and explosives disposal teams who worked more covertly but effectively.
Even though operations continue, the biggest challenge remains to rebuild the confidence of global shipping industry players that the Strait of Hormuz is truly safe for passage.
This is crucial considering the strategic role of the strait in maintaining world economic stability.***
