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The agreement between Washington and Tehran has increased expectations that commercial shipping and energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz can resume without disruption. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that oil shipments from both directions would continue, helping calm fears of supply shortages in global markets.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, one significant challenge remains before normal maritime traffic can fully return. Authorities must determine whether Iran deployed naval mines during the conflict and, if mines are present, remove them from one of the world's most strategically important waterways.
There is currently no confirmation that mines were placed in the strait. Numerous ships continued to transit the area throughout the fighting without reporting mine strikes. Earlier this year, U.S. Central Command said it had targeted 16 Iranian vessels believed capable of laying mines near the waterway, although the long-term impact of those operations has not been fully established.
Trump said on Monday that the passage was already partially accessible and that search operations for mines had begun. He is also expected to seek support from European partners for any clearance mission.
Several allies have indicated they could contribute. Britain has announced the possible deployment of unmanned mine-detection technology as part of an international security effort in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron said France could send specialist mine-clearance ships shortly after a formal peace settlement is reached.
Before hostilities began, U.S. intelligence assessments estimated that Iran possessed roughly 5,000 naval mines. These included simple floating devices as well as more sophisticated systems positioned on the seabed and equipped with sensors capable of detecting passing vessels.
The U.S. Navy intends to inspect the entire water column, from the surface to the sea floor, using a combination of aircraft, drones and underwater systems. Modern mine-hunting operations increasingly rely on unmanned technology because many traditional minesweepers have been retired. Newer warships typically remain outside dangerous zones while helicopters and robotic systems search for potential threats.
Scott Savitz, a senior engineer and professor at RAND with experience in naval mine warfare programs, said one of the central difficulties is that the ships conducting the mission cannot safely enter a suspected minefield.
Locating mines has become more difficult as the technology has advanced. Objects resting on the seabed can be difficult to distinguish from rocks, discarded material and debris that has accumulated over many years.
Among the systems available to the Navy are unmanned surface vessels that scan for hazards and underwater drones equipped with sonar for detailed seabed inspections. Autonomous underwater vehicles are programmed to follow specific search patterns while maintaining a fixed height above the ocean floor. Their sonar data is later combined into detailed maps that analysts examine for suspicious objects.
When a possible mine is identified, remotely operated vehicles fitted with cameras may be sent for closer inspection. Some are equipped with robotic arms that can place explosive charges on confirmed targets.
In certain cases, explosive ordnance disposal divers must approach the device themselves. Using specialised equipment designed to minimise sound, bubbles and magnetic signatures, they carefully move toward the target and either disable it or destroy it.
The most dangerous assignments involve advanced seabed mines fitted with magnetic, acoustic and seismic sensors. Because of the risk involved, military divers are trained to approach such devices alone, without guide ropes or markers. The procedure reflects the extreme danger posed by these weapons and the precautions taken to limit potential casualties.
