US officials say the US military has gradually eroded Iran's control over the
Strait of Hormuz since the war began in late February, reversing the situation
over the past two months and calling it a potential turning point that could
relieve pressure on the global economy and improve prospects for a deal with
Iran. President Trump told Axios: "It's open there, Iran's response has been
very mild. They don't want us to hit them again." After a US‑Iran memorandum
collapsed, US forces took unilateral steps to reopen the strait: a US‑UAE task
force has been guiding ships through a southern corridor with air cover and
intercepting Iranian drones and cruise missiles; a two‑week US bombing campaign
substantially degraded the Revolutionary Guard's ability to attack transiting
vessels; a mine‑clearing operation using naval divers, SEALs, underwater and
surface drones and private contractors detected and removed sea mines; and a
blockade of Iranian ports It was reinstated.
