Only Iran knows how many mines it has placed in the Strait of Hormuz. But even the possibility that it has littered the narrow waterway with the deadly weapons is forcing the US to begin preparing to scour the seabed for them.
It could take weeks to complete such a painstaking mission and for the route to be declared safe from mines, which may be camouflaged to look like rocks and can burrow into the sands, according to experts.
It would be even longer if the fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Washington collapses and the mission has to be attempted under fire. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was extending the pause in fighting.
您已阅读9%（654字），剩余91%（6725字）包含更多重要信息，订阅以继续探索完整内容，并享受更多专属服务。