Could the Strait of Hormuz be closed for six months? Pentagon warns amid Iran war uncertainty

US lawmakers have been briefed on an intelligence assessment suggesting the Strait of Hormuz could take months to fully reopen after the conflict with Iran, raising concerns about global trade disruption.

According to CNN, Pentagon officials told members of the House Armed Services Committee during a briefing that clearing the shipping route of mines could take up to six months.

Advertisement

Earlier assessments by the Defense Intelligence Agency suggested Iran could block the strait for between one and six months, according to sources cited by CNN.

However, US officials have downplayed the likelihood of a prolonged shutdown.

Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell pushed back against reports focusing on the longer timeline: “The media cherry picking leaked information, much of which is false, from a classified, closed briefing is dishonest journalism.”

“As we said in March, one assessment does not mean the assessment is plausible, and a six month closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an impossibility and completely unacceptable to the Secretary,” he added.

Despite reassurances, the briefing underscores ongoing uncertainty surrounding the region and its impact on global markets.