The U.S. Navy is working with artificial-intelligence firm Domino Data Lab to locate and clear Iranian-laid naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz [1].
This initiative aims to restore commercial shipping in a critical waterway where traffic has reached a near-standstill [3]. The region remains volatile following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in late February 2026 [2].
Iran has threatened to attack shipping and reportedly placed mines along the most frequently used routes in the corridor [1]. The Navy is now evaluating AI-driven tools to accelerate the detection and neutralization of these hazards to avoid the slow pace of traditional mine-sweeping.
“We are exploring how AI can accelerate the detection and neutralisation of mines that Iran has placed in the Hormuz corridor,” said Thomas Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Domino Data Lab [1].
Traditional methods of clearing the narrow waterway are slower than the proposed AI solutions. A senior U.S. Department of Defense official said that clearing the strait of mines could take up to six months using conventional methods [1].
The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a primary artery for global energy shipments. A U.S. Navy spokesperson said traffic through the waterway has been at a near-standstill since the strikes in late February [3].
By integrating Domino Data Lab's technology, the Navy hopes to reduce the time required to identify mine locations, potentially bypassing the months-long timeline associated with manual clearance [1].
“Clearing the strait of mines could take up to six months using conventional methods.”
The shift toward AI-driven mine clearance reflects a strategic necessity to maintain maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Because conventional clearance takes months, the U.S. is treating AI as a force multiplier to prevent a prolonged economic blockade of the Persian Gulf's primary exit point.
