The U.S. military has begun mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Politico. The move comes amid concerns over Iran’s capability to deploy a range of naval mines designed to disrupt maritime traffic.

The publication outlines several types of mines believed to be in Iran’s arsenal. Some are laid on the seabed and release a charge when a vessel passes overhead. Others drift with the current, while another category is anchored to the seabed by chains, with explosive components suspended just below the water’s surface.

Observers describe the mission facing the U. S. Navy as a high-risk search operation, likening it to a deadly game of hide-and-seek. The immediate priority is to detect and neutralize any Iranian mines before they can trigger further disruption to global trade routes.

Even the threat of mining has already had a chilling effect on shipping activity in the region. Analysts warn that a single successful attack on a vessel could sharply escalate tensions and ripple across the global economy.

Retired U. S. Navy officer Steve Wills compared the process to clearing dandelions from a field in order to pass safely, noting that the task resembles an endless cycle. Areas that have been cleared could quickly be mined again by small Iranian vessels, making the operation both complex and potentially unending.

According to publicly available data and ship-tracking systems, additional vessels are being deployed to the region to support both the blockade and demining efforts.

Estimates suggest that, under the most favorable conditions, clearing the strait could take anywhere from several days to several weeks.