U.S. defense officials have told lawmakers that removing Iranian naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz could require up to six months, raising concerns that disruptions to global energy markets may persist well into the year, according to a report published Wednesday.

The update was delivered during a classified briefing to Congress, as reported by The Washington Post, which cited individuals familiar with the session. The projected timeline suggests that the financial consequences of the conflict could stretch on through the end of the year or beyond.

According to three officials, members of the House Armed Services Committee received the briefing on Tuesday. Lawmakers from both parties were said to be dissatisfied with the assessment.

Military officials indicated that Iran may have deployed at least 20 naval mines in and around the critical shipping corridor, a key route for a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. Some of the devices were reportedly positioned using GPS-guided methods, making them harder for U.S. forces to locate, while others were believed to have been placed by small Iranian vessels.

The Pentagon declined to elaborate on the details publicly. Spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that the topic had been addressed in a classified setting but dismissed the reported conclusions as “inaccurate.”

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a focal point in the ongoing confrontation. Iran has asserted that the waterway is closed and has carried out attacks on certain vessels, while both Washington and Tehran continue to press their respective conditions for ending the conflict.

Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments passed through the strait, with major Asian economies such as Japan, South Korea, and China relying heavily on that route.

President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran dismantle its nuclear program, relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and fully reopen the waterway, warning that failure to comply could lead to additional military action. Iranian officials, for their part, have said they will not return to negotiations unless the United States first removes the naval blockade imposed in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was extending a two-week ceasefire indefinitely, adding Iran’s leadership is “seriously fractured” and must “come up with a unified proposal.”

He later stated if the US lifts its naval blockade of Iran, a deal between the two countries would be possible if the US renews its strikes on the Islamic Republic.

“Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!” he added.