Pakistan, April 23 -- Clearing naval mines from the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months, according to assessments shared by the Pentagon with U.S. lawmakers. The warning underscores the potential for prolonged disruption to global energy supplies amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Read More: US Says Strait of Hormuz Mine Removal Could Take Six Months

During a closed-door briefing, defense officials indicated that Iranian forces may have deployed more than 20 mines in and around the narrow shipping corridor. Some of these devices are believed to be difficult to track, including those using GPS-guided drifting mechanisms, complicating detection and removal efforts.

The waterway, a critical artery for global ...