Retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis, the former NATO allied supreme commander, has suggested that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on the ability of the U.S. military to stop Iranian mines laid in the waterway. He suggested that targeting small boats, which are often distributed, could be a key strategy. Stavidis also suggested that the United States should target Iran's mine-laying and missile capabilities. The United States has been increasing efforts to clear mines from the critical waterway, which carries about one-fifth of the world's oil supply and has been effectively closed since the start of the conflict in late February. There is uncertainty over when normal shipping traffic will resume due to the ongoing conflict.