US officials say American forces have spent the past two months steadily eroding Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that has been Tehran's strongest leverage since the war began in late February. Officials now describe the shift as a potential turning point in the conflict, one that could gradually relieve pressure on the global economy and improve the chances of reaching a better agreement with Iran. President Donald Trump told Axios in a phone interview Thursday that the strait "is open" and that Iran's response has been "very mild." "They don't want us to hit them again. That's the whole thing. Nothing else matters," he said. The US actions came after the collapse of a US-Iran memorandum. Washington then moved unilaterally to reopen the waterway. A task force formed with the UAE has been guiding ships through the southern shipping lane, providing air cover, and intercepting Iranian drones and cruise missiles. A two-week bombing campaign has significantly weakened the Revolutionary Guard's ability to attack vessels in the strait. A minesweeping operation involving Navy divers, SEAL teams, underwater and surface drones, and private contractors is clearing mines. The blockade of Iranian ports has been restored. (Jinshi)
US Says It Has Reversed Iran's Grip on the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz has been Iran's most powerful bargaining chip since the war broke out in late February. But US officials say that over the past two months, American forces have steadily eroded Iran's control over the critical waterway. The situation has been reversed, officials said, and they believe the shift could become a turning point in the war, gradually easing pressure on the global economy and potentially opening the way to a better deal with Iran.
President Donald Trump told Axios in a phone interview Thursday: "It's open over there. Iran's response has been very mild. They don't want us to hit them again. That's the whole thing. Nothing else matters."
After the US-Iran Memorandum Collapsed
The developments followed the breakdown of a US-Iran memorandum. Since then, the US military has acted unilaterally to reopen the strait. A task force built with the UAE has been guiding ships through the southern shipping lane, providing air cover and intercepting drone and cruise missile attacks launched by Iran.
Two-Week Bombing Campaign and Minesweeping
A two-week US bombing campaign has significantly degraded the ability of Iran's Revolutionary Guard to strike vessels transiting the strait. A minesweeping operation has employed Navy divers, SEAL teams, underwater and surface drones, and private contractors to detect and clear mines. The blockade of Iranian ports has also been restored. (Jinshi)
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