Trump Says the Strait Is Now Open, U.S. Officials Say Iran's Leverage Is Eroding

BlockBeats News, August 28th, Since the outbreak of war at the end of February, the Strait of Hormuz has been Iran's most powerful card. However, U.S. officials have stated that over the past two months, the U.S. military has gradually weakened Iran's control of this key waterway.

U.S. officials have said that the U.S. has reversed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and believe this could be a turning point in the war, not only helping to gradually relieve the global economy but also potentially leading to a better agreement with Iran. U.S. President Trump said in a phone interview with Axios on Thursday: "It's wide open out there (Strait of Hormuz), and Iran's response has been very gentle. They don't want to do anything. That's the key. Nothing else is important."

It is reported that after the breakdown of the U.S.-Iran memorandum, the U.S. military began to take unilateral action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This action includes various aspects: a special forces unit established in cooperation with the UAE by the U.S. military started guiding vessels through the southern channel of the Strait of Hormuz, providing air cover for the vessels, and intercepting Iranian-launched drones and cruise missile attacks. A two-week U.S. bombing campaign significantly degraded the ability of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to attack vessels passing through the strait. A mine-clearing operation utilized Navy divers, SEAL teams, underwater and surface drones, and private contractors to detect and neutralize mines. The blockade of Iranian ports has been reinstated. (Kris10)