HORMUZ MINE CLEARANCE MAY TAKE 6 MONTHS, PENTAGON TELLS CONGRESS

The Pentagon has informed Congress that mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz could take up to six months, highlighting persistent risks to one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints. This timeline reinforces concerns over prolonged supply disruption risks, which are likely to sustain elevated risk premiums in crude oil markets, particularly for Brent and Middle Eastern export grades. The extended clearance period supports continued tightness in tanker insurance rates and regional shipping costs, with immediate implications for oil majors and shipping firms operating in the Persian Gulf. Geopolitical risk flows are also likely to bolster demand for safe-haven assets and influence risk appetite in emerging market equities linked to energy imports. Traders will watch the next International Energy Agency (IEA) Oil Market Report for potential revisions to supply disruption scenarios and inventory drawdown forecasts.

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