Strait of Hormuz Mine Clearing May Take 40-50 Days, Reuters Reports

LONDON, June 15. /TASS/. It may take from 40 to 50 days to clear the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe navigation, Reuters said, citing sources in Western maritime security companies.

According to the sources, only after the strait is cleared of mines will insurers, shipping operators and oil companies consider the waters there safe for navigation. The operation to clear the waterway would take weeks, requiring both conventional minesweepers and advanced underwater drones to carry out mine clearing operations and could lead to delays in the supply of tens of millions of barrels of oil to the market.

Earlier, official representatives of the United States, Iran, and Pakistan, which acts as a go-between, confirmed that Washington and Tehran had reached an agreement, which is expected to be inked in Geneva on June 19. According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, during a 60-day ceasefire the sides will discuss Iran’s nuclear program, while the US will lift its maritime blockade against Iran from June 15. Apart from that, military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, will cease immediately and permanently.

Commenting on the deal, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez stated readiness to begin evacuating thousands of sailors who are stuck in the Persian Gulf but acknowledged that the implementation of this plan will take time to ensure all necessary security guarantees.