Trump says the strait is open, and US officials say Iran's leverage is being weakened.

Since the outbreak of the conflict at the end of February, the Strait of Hormuz has been Iran’s most powerful bargaining chip. However, U.S. officials said that over the past two months, the U.S. military has gradually weakened Iran’s control over this key waterway. U.S. officials added that the U.S. military has reversed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and believe this could mark a turning point in the conflict, which would not only help ease global economic pressures gradually but also pave the way for a better deal with Iran. In a Thursday phone interview with Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump said: “The Strait of Hormuz is open, and Iran’s response has been very mild. They don’t want us to attack them again. That’s the whole point. Nothing else matters.” It is reported that after the collapse of the U.S.-Iran memorandum, the U.S. military launched unilateral operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. These operations cover multiple aspects: a task force jointly formed by the U.S. military and the United Arab Emirates has begun guiding vessels through the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, while providing air cover for ships and intercepting drone and cruise missile attacks launched by Iran. A two-week U.S. bombing campaign has significantly weakened the ability of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to target vessels passing through the strait. A minesweeping operation has deployed Navy divers, SEAL teams, underwater and surface drones, and private contractors to detect and defuse mines. The blockade on Iranian ports has been restored. (Jinshi)