▲ Strait of Hormuz
It is estimated that it will take at least two months to clear the mines identified as a major obstacle to normalizing the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Italy's ANSA news agency on July 1 (local time), Commander Giovanni Maria Iannucci of the Italian Joint Operations Command stated in parliament that day, "There are dozens of mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and it will take at least two months to remove them."
He added, "These mines are sophisticated and incorporate advanced technology," noting that "mine clearance requires expertise, and not all countries possess this capability."
According to Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it is estimated that Iran has laid approximately 80 mines along the main shipping lanes of the strait.
Commander Iannucci remarked, "It is desirable for the mission to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz to be structured in a way that allows not only European nations but also countries in the region to participate."
While European countries, including France, have expressed their intention to cooperate on mine clearance, Iran is insisting on conducting the operations independently.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, wrote on social media on June 29, "Mine clearance will be carried out solely by Iran, and not by any other country, and we fundamentally do not permit anything else (such as intervention by other nations)."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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