U.S. Says It Has Eroded Iran's Leverage In Strait Of Hormuz

According to Axios, U.S. officials say the American military has steadily reduced Iran's leverage over the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months, after the war that began in late February turned into a fight over the world's most important energy chokepoint. President Trump said in a phone interview Thursday that the strait is open and that Iran's response has been mild, while CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said international shipping lanes are open and momentum is building. Axios reported that Iranian attacks on ships and mine threats initially halted commercial shipping and pushed Brent crude as high as $126 a barrel, after trading around $72 when the war began. U.S. officials said the military later helped reopen the route with the United Arab Emirates, launched a two-week bombing campaign against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, carried out mine-sweeping operations, and restored a blockade of Iranian ports. They said more than 200 mine-like objects have been cleared from the main lane, only 11 were actual mines, and traffic through the southern channel has risen to 20 to 30 tankers a night carrying an average of 9 to 10 million barrels, about half of pre-war volume. The article said U.S. officials want to widen the main channel by mid-September so at least 50 ships can transit in and out of the Gulf each night and eventually restore 60% to 70% of pre-war oil exports. It also said Iran has shown renewed interest in negotiations in recent days, with the Pakistani army chief, Oman's foreign minister and Qatar's prime minister all visiting Tehran, while Trump said he is not interested in meeting Iran and White House envoy Steve Witkoff continues talks with mediators.