The ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has eased immediate fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, but reopening one of the world’s most important maritime corridors will depend on a far slower and more complex task: removing hundreds of explosive hazards from heavily trafficked waters. Success will require not only advanced naval capabilities and international coordination, but also sustained political restraint. If managed effectively, demining could become more than a technical operation—it could provide the first meaningful test of whether diplomacy between the United States and Iran can endure beyond the battlefield.

Clearing Hormuz Is About More Than Mines

Commercial shipping has begun returning to the Strait of Hormuz following the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Yet the world’s most important energy corridor cannot fully resume normal operations until the sea mines scattered across its waters are removed. That process is likely to take weeks, if not months, and will test both the durability of the ceasefire and the willingness of regional and international powers to cooperate.

The operation is as much a political challenge as a military one. If handled successfully, it could also become an early confidence-building measure between Washington and Tehran, demonstrating that both sides remain committed to reducing tensions.

A Difficult Waterscape

Iran has disclosed neither the number nor the location of the mines it deployed during the conflict. Analysts estimate that roughly 80 naval mines remain in the Strait, including Maham-3 and Maham-7 variants designed to frustrate sonar detection. Their sophisticated construction makes them especially difficult to locate and neutralize.

Before the conflict, Tehran was believed to........

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