, April 23 -- A US intelligence assessment suggests it could take up to six months to fully clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines allegedly deployed by Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post.

US defense officials briefed lawmakers this week, saying such an operation is unlikely to begin until the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran ends. Members of the House Armed Services Committee were told on Tuesday that the prolonged timeline could keep global gasoline and oil prices elevated, potentially through upcoming US midterm elections.

The assessment indicated that Iran may have deployed 20 or more mines in and around the strait. Some of the mines were reportedly floated remotely using GPS technology, making them difficult to detect,...