Is the U.S. Navy ready to clear sea mines in the Persian Gulf?

"Mines pose a significant threat to the tankers and other commercial shipping vessels that pass through the Strait. They are also a serious danger to warships."

"Since World War II, sea mines have caused a disproportionate share of damage to U.S. Navy vessels sinking or crippling 15 of them, more than from all other weapons combined."

"Funding for mine warfare accounts for 'less than 1% of the Navy's total budget,' he says. Some people call it a 'stepchild of the U.S. Navy,' he says."

"The Navy is in the midst of retiring its older, wooden-hulled Avenger-class ships that have been used since the 1980s for minesweeping."

Iran has threatened to mine the Strait of Hormuz, potentially endangering vital shipping routes. The U.S. is preparing to reopen the waterway using advanced mine-clearing technology. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed steps are being taken, while the U.S. Fifth Fleet has targeted Iranian minelaying vessels. Mines pose significant risks to commercial and military vessels, with historical data showing they have caused substantial damage to U.S. Navy ships. Despite this, mine warfare receives minimal funding, accounting for less than 1% of the Navy's budget, as focus shifts to newer technologies.

Read at www.npr.org