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 was reinstated. 28-AUG-2026 06:23 AM ET