US officials say mines have been cleared and tanker traffic has recovered to roughly half pre-war levels despite continued attacks.
The US military has eroded Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, with American officials saying most of the crucial waterway is now effectively under US control, Axios reported.
The campaign began after Iran deployed mines in the main international shipping lane and threatened tankers during the war. Iranian attacks brought commercial shipping to a standstill and pushed Brent crude as high as $126 a barrel, compared with about $72 before the conflict.
A US task force, working with the United Arab Emirates, has guided ships through the southern channel while providing air cover and intercepting Iranian attacks. Navy divers, SEALs, drones and private contractors have also swept more than 200 mine-like objects from the main lane; US officials said 11 were actual mines.
Traffic through the southern channel has risen to 20 to 30 tankers a night, carrying 9 million to 10 million barrels, or roughly half the pre-war volume. A US official said only 2% of ships transiting the strait in the past month were hit.
Oil experts and tanker trackers question whether the official traffic figures are that high, while periodic reports of tankers being struck continue. The US aims to expand the channel by mid-September and restore 60% to 70% of pre-war oil exports.
Regional sources told Axios that Iran has renewed interest in negotiations, although President Donald Trump said he is not interested in meeting and US mediators continue talks through Qatar and other intermediaries.
